2008 Woodie Awards
John McDonnell to retire after 36 years
Matt Watson
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
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McDonnell, 69, will step aside at the conclusion of the 2008 outdoor track season in June.
"I don't know how many years I've got left, but I want to make the best of them," McDonnell said. "There's never a good time [to retire], but I want to spend some time with my family."
McDonnell said he would have stepped down two years ago if it weren't for the NCAA sanctions imposed upon the program.
He was offered several jobs during his tenure at the UA and said he once thought about taking another job but left it up to his family, and they wanted to stay in Arkansas.
"Once a Razorback, always a Razorback, and that's what I am," McDonnell said.
McDonnell said he won't go far and plans to stay in Fayetteville and help out on a part-time basis, but he said he will leave it up to UA Athletic Director Jeff Long to choose a successor and continue the traditions of the program.
"With Jeff Long, this program is not going to go backwards, it's going to go forward," McDonnell said.
"I'm leaving a bunch of great athletes," he said, "but I know they'll be in great hands."
McDonnell said leaving the athletes will be the hardest part of retiring.
Assistant coach Dick Booth said he is very interested in taking over for McDonnell, but it isn't his call.
Booth has coached the field athletes under McDonnell for the last 25 years.
"He is the greatest field coach - not in the country, but in the world," McDonnell said of Booth.
Long said he would be crazy not to ask McDonnell for his opinion on naming a successor.
"He is, without question, the most successful coach in NCAA history," Long said.
McDonnell's 42 national championships are the most of any coach in any sport in NCAA history, 16 more than any other coach.
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