Posted: June 18, 2005

Athletics: McDonnell Named National Outdoor Coach of the Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After capping off a highly successful outdoor season by guiding his Razorbacks to an unprecedented 41st NCAA title in Sacramento, Calif., Arkansas head coach John McDonnell was named the Mondo National Outdoor Coach of the Year as announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Friday. It marks McDonnell’s 29th time to garner the award in his 33-year career at Arkansas, during the cross country and indoor and outdoor track seasons. “I’m very gracious to my peers for voting for me, because it’s a nice honor,” Arkansas head coach John McDonnell said. “I’m very thankful to the athletes and coaches who helped make it possible. It’s not just for me, it’s for the team.”

In addition to the national honor McDonnell picked up during the outdoor campaign he was also recognized as the 2005 South Central District and Mideast Region Coach of the Year.

At the NCAA Championships the Hogs won their third-straight outdoor crown when they tallied 60 points over second-place Florida (49), giving the program its 12th NCAA outdoor championship. For the weekend 11 UA athletes earned 15 All-America honors and two national event titles were gained with school record times.

At the Southeastern Conference Championships in Nashville, Tenn., his Razorbacks picked up their 12th SEC crown in 14 years and 76th overall league title. Arkansas dominated the meet as the Hogs scored 169 points, while Florida was in a distant second place with 116.

Two weeks later they prevailed as the NCAA Mideast Region Champions for the third-consecutive year where he had a record 26 athletes compete. These accomplishments are additions to McDonnell’s marks of excellence that he set earlier in the year as he led the Razorbacks to the 2005 SEC Indoor Championship and the 2005 NCAA Indoor National Championship. He was also named 2005 National and South Central Indoor Coach of the Year.