PUEBLO, Colo. (July 9, 2020) – Colorado State University Pueblo Football Defensive Coordinator Donnell Leomiti passed away July 4 nearly seven years after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic neuro endocrine carcinoma in the Fall of 2013. He was 47. 
 
"Leo was one of the first guys I called to take the challenge on of building Pack Football," said CSU Pueblo Head Football Coach John Wristen. "I appreciate every second of every day that I was able to work with him. I appreciate his attitude of developing young men and holding them accountable. Not only by his words, but by his actions. He never had any 'woe is me' moments. Knowing the amount of pain he was in the last two weeks, it's comforting to know that he is able to rest in peace, be in a better place and be able to run with Tundra."
 
Donnell Jermaine Leomiti was born June 10, 1973, in Santa Ana, California. He went to the University of Colorado from Pavaiai, American Samoa. Donnell had an incredible football career at CU and when his playing days were over, he took his unmatchable work ethic, love for the game and insane competitiveness into coaching. The last 13 years of his 21-year coaching career were spent at CSU Pueblo where he fell in love with the University. Donnell was an incredibly humble man that preached to his players to always, "Do Your Job." His smile was infectious and he never complained about anything. He loved the Lord, his family and his players. 
 
"Coach Leo" was set to enter his 13th overall season as a member of the ThunderWolves coaching staff and fourth year as the Pack's Defensive Coordinator.
 
In his first two seasons as the full-time defensive coordinator, Donnell was recognized as the 2019 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II Assistant of the Year and the 2018 FootballScoop NCAA Division II Coordinator of the Year.

He was a member of the original Wristen staff and had coached CSU Pueblo's defensive backs since the program restarted in 2008. In 2017 he took the role of co-defensive coordinator before gaining the full reins of the defense in 2018. He was also the recruiting coordinator his first 10 seasons.

In the three years Donnell was charged with the defense, the Pack totaled seven All-Americans, 12 all-region players and 28 were named All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which included two RMAC Defensive Player of the Year awards. In all three seasons the ThunderWolves finished top five nationally in interceptions and top 10 in scoring defense. In those three seasons, the ThunderWolves owned a 31-7 overall record and a 27-3 record in league play with three NCAA Playoff appearances (twice reaching the second round) and two RMAC Championships. 

Donnell coached up an incredibly efficient defensive backfield in his first 12 seasons with the Pack, as he guided nine All-Americans, 15 All-Region selections and a total of 38 All-RMAC selections. 

A ball-hawk secondary was a hallmark of the CSU Pueblo defense under Donnell, as the Pack had been ranked in the top 15 nationally in interceptions in 10 of the last 11 seasons, including three straight top ten finishes from 2009-11. CSU Pueblo led Division II in interceptions in 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2019. 
 
The secondary on the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship team was something special. All four of the starting defensive backs were named All-RMAC, while three went on to earn All-American honors. The 2014 defense finished the season first in the nation in scoring defense (12.8), passes intercepted (29), defensive touchdowns (7) and turnovers gained (43).
 
In his 12 seasons the ThunderWolves produced a 117-27 (.813) overall record and a 95-18 (.841) mark in RMAC play. Since 2011, CSU Pueblo Football has won seven RMAC Championships and made seven trips to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. 
 
With a 106-17 (.862) record from 2010-2019, the Pack were the second winningest NCAA Division II program of the decade. D2Football.com placed the Pack fourth on their Best Programs of the Decade list.
 
Donnell leaves behind many to cherish his memory including his loving wife, Lauren; children, Donnell Jr., Siliaga, Malekai, Kae'ane and Myalyn; brothers, Derrick (Tina) Leomiti, Junior (Heidi) Wood, and Nelly (Tusisaleia) Lang; grandmother, Noela Leomiti; father and mother- in-law, Mark and Debie Dunsmoor; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family, Pack family and Buff family. 
 
He is preceded in death by his mother, Siliaga Leomiti, and grandfather, Firipele Leomiti.
 
In lieu of food and flowers, memorials may be made to:
 
Friends of Football
Leomiti Scholarship
504 N Grand Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81003 
 
OR to: 
 
Lauren Leomiti in Donnell's honor
c/o Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors
1317 N. Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003

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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.