SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Mike Donley has had a penchant for turning around the fortunes of programs.
He did it as the head coach of the Schuylkill Haven girls' basketball program in the early 2000s, then rebuilt the Hamburg girls' program later in the decade before stepping away from the sport.
Ready for a new challenge, Donley has been hired by Penn State Schuylkill to lead its women's basketball program in an improving Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference.
After reaching the PSUAC playoffs five times and the Final Four three times since 2005, the local Lady Lions went just 2-17 last season with a roster featuring just three upperclassmen.
"It's the next challenge, that's for sure," Donley said via telephone Tuesday evening. "They've been down a bit, but there has been success there in the past. That's what we're looking for - we want to build it back up.
"Really, the key is the ladies. We need student-athletes. We need basketball players."
The top three scorers from last year's club are each eligi-
ble to return to the court this season. It's not certain yet whether Bree Green, Katelyn Celani and Shannon Kenney will do that or have moved on to the school's University Park campus.
Donley, as well as the rest of the school's athletic programs, will hold an open house when the university opens for the fall semester Aug. 26. There he will have an opportunity to meet with players from last year's roster in addition to potential newcomers.
"Anyone that wants to come back, come back," Donley said. "The great girls' basketball that's in our region right here - Schuylkill League, Berks League, Lehigh Valley - we'd certainly like kids to look at Penn State Schuylkill. We'd even like to get out to the big cities. A lot of these (other PSUAC) campuses are near big cities. The level of competition has gone up."
Donley has extensive experience rebuilding programs after leading Hamburg to the District 3 playoffs for the first time in 14 years in 2004 as well as leading the Hawks to the district tournament four times in his six seasons at the helm.
Donley also guided the Schuylkill Haven girls' program from 1997-2002. The Hurricanes improved every season under Donley, culminating in a 19-6 mark in 2002 and the school's first District 11 playoff berth since 1994.
Additionally, Donley is well connected in coaching circles in Schuylkill and Berks counties and elsewhere. That could help with recruiting, as well as having former Schuylkill Haven and Bloomsburg University standout Colleen Kegerreis on his staff.
"I already have a letter drafted to send out to high school coaches anywhere and everywhere," said Donley, a teacher in the Hamburg Area School District. "Having contacts with coaches that I worked with or got to know, plus we're going to get out to games. We're going to go see kids play in high school and try to work that way."
He also plans to attempt to attract more community involvement with biddy basketball and high school nights at Penn State Schuylkill.
Donley replaces Ryan McGinley, who posted a 90-74 record in eight seasons leading the program. McGinley recently accepted the Hamburg boys' basketball head coaching position.
After taking the last four winters off from coaching, Donley is ready to return.
"I missed the competition, the game planning, the camaraderie," Donley said.
"I like to teach. I like helping young people. We did things the right way. We showed kids we cared about them - not just basketball, but as people."
That's something Donley fully intends to bring with him to Penn State Schuylkill.
"The key again is it's pretty much all about the kids," Donley said. "We have to get student-athletes that feel Penn State Schuylkill is a great place for them. If you're not a Division I or II athlete, why not Penn State Schuylkill?"