Coach Donnelly and his wife Mary moved to Blue Bell in 2018 and are active members of St. Anthony of Padua in Ambler. They met at the Catholic University of America and married during Christmas break of Mary’s senior year. A year and a half later they welcomed their first of three children, two of whom live in eastern PA. Dan earned a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and spent a brief time in the chemical industry before his 25-year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during which time he completed an MBA. Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked in a variety of nursing positions while caring for their children.

After completing his Ph.D. Dan spent 9 years as Director of the Center for Environmental Research and Education and 6 years as Associate Provost for Administration at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. While there he coached tennis at Carlow College and lacrosse at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Mary completed a Master of Science in Nursing Education at Duquesne and worked at Mercy Hospital in the Parish Nurse Program and became health care coordinator for the Capuchin Franciscans. While there, Dan and Mary were a presenting couple for the diocese Engaged Encounter weekends.

Dan then served as Dean of the School of Business and Vice President for Administration at Aquinas College with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville. Mary worked at St. Thomas Hospital as Middle Tennessee Coordinator for Faith Community Nursing and taught health education courses. In Nashville they served in the parish couple-to-couple marriage preparation program. After moving to Blue Bell, Dan coached girls tennis at Archbishop Wood before joining Martin Saints as tennis coach in 2022 and athletic director in 2024. Mary serves on the Bux-Mont coordination committee for Faith Community Nursing and leads Walking With Purpose bible studies.