University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame
McDonnell, John
John McDonnell
- Induction:
- 2006
- Class:
- 1969
A six-time All-American in track/cross country at USL from 1966-69, McDonnell is the most successful coach in NCAA history after creating a track and field dynasty at the University of Arkansas from 1972-2008.
During his 36-year tenure as head coach of the Razorbacks, McDonnell established a legacy of success unrivaled in the history of NCAA athletics including leading the Razorbacks to 40 NCAA Championships (11 cross country, 19 indoor track and field, 10 outdoor track and field), five NCAA Triple Crowns, 84 conference championships, 21 conference triple crowns and 34-straight conference cross country titles (1974-2007).
McDonnell coached 184 All-America student-athletes to 656 All-America honors, 23 Olympians spanning three decades and six different Olympic Games, including a gold, silver and bronze medalist and mentored countless NCAA and conference champions. He was named National Coach of the Year 30 times, including 12 times in indoor track, 11 times in outdoor track and seven times in cross country, and was named region coach of the year 62 times and conference coach of the year 48 times.
McDonnell is also a member of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Mayo Hall of Fame and the Penn Relay Carnival Hall of Fame.
Born July 2, 1938 in County Mayo, Ireland, McDonnell retired from the University of Arkansas in June, 2008.
During his 36-year tenure as head coach of the Razorbacks, McDonnell established a legacy of success unrivaled in the history of NCAA athletics including leading the Razorbacks to 40 NCAA Championships (11 cross country, 19 indoor track and field, 10 outdoor track and field), five NCAA Triple Crowns, 84 conference championships, 21 conference triple crowns and 34-straight conference cross country titles (1974-2007).
McDonnell coached 184 All-America student-athletes to 656 All-America honors, 23 Olympians spanning three decades and six different Olympic Games, including a gold, silver and bronze medalist and mentored countless NCAA and conference champions. He was named National Coach of the Year 30 times, including 12 times in indoor track, 11 times in outdoor track and seven times in cross country, and was named region coach of the year 62 times and conference coach of the year 48 times.
McDonnell is also a member of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Mayo Hall of Fame and the Penn Relay Carnival Hall of Fame.
Born July 2, 1938 in County Mayo, Ireland, McDonnell retired from the University of Arkansas in June, 2008.
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