McDONNELL NAMED NCAA INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD COACH OF THE YEAR

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas head track and field coach John McDonnell has been named the 2006 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Associations (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I Mens Indoor Track and Field Coach of the year it was announced by the organization this week. McDonnell was selected by his peers after guiding the Razorbacks to their 19th indoor national championship in the last 22 years last weekend at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville. The title was the 42nd national championship in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field for the Razorbacks. Arkansas also captured its 72nd conference crown including its 13th title in 15 tries in the Southeastern Conference. "It means a lot to be recognized by other coaches," McDonnell said. "There were a lot of quality candidates for the award this year. Our indoor national championship was special. When you look back at it several guys performed above what we had done all year. It was a solid team effort." The most successful coach in any sport in NCAA history has now racked up 30 national coach of the year honors in his 34-year tenure. McDonnell has also been the recipient of 59 district and 42 league coach of the year accolades. Beverly Kearney of Texas was honored as the national womens coach of the year after leading the Longhorns to the womens national championship.