on april 7, 2010, boston college announced that donahue had been hired as the head coach of its basketball program, replacing coach al skinner. donahue led the eagles to the second round of the nit his first year. donahue's second year was less successful, as the eagles won only 9 games and lost to harvard for the fourth year in a row. donahue led the eagles to a 16-17 season in his third year. despite going 16-17, the eagles lost to two top ten teams by one point.