'The Greatest Coach - Ever' to Air on AETN

Photo Submitted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Forty national track and field championships — it’s a record number of wins for any collegiate coach and one that probably will never be bested.

In The Greatest Coach — Ever!, Larry Foley and Jim Borden trace the life and rise of John McDonnell, from a boy on a farm in Ireland to the head track coach at the University of Arkansas. AETN will premier the documentary at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, during live studio pledging. The film will be shown again at 6:30 p.m. March 12, 11:30 p.m. March 18 and 4:30 a.m. March 21.

In the film, several championship Razorbacks coached by McDonnell recall how he was able to inspire them and make them believe they could accomplish feats they had not even imagined. Several recount how a balance between academic and athletic success was always at the top of the list for the coach, who says “You can win the gold medal, but you can’t eat it.”

During his 36 years as head coach, from 1982 to 2008, McDonnell’s teams won 84 conference championships. During training, McDonnell would often be running with them. In 1993, to honor his accomplishments, President Clinton invited McDonnell to the White House.

Since retirement, McDonnell continues to split his time between Fayetteville and his cattle ranch in Oklahoma, work he said he has loved since he was a child.