Jim Donnan

College coach infobox


Name = Jim Donnan
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DateOfBirth = c. 1945
Birthplace = flagicon|South Carolina Laurens, SC
DateOfDeath =
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Sport = Football
College =
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CurrentRecord =
OverallRecord = 104–40–0
BowlRecord = 4–0–0
Awards =
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CFbDWID = 617
Player = yes
Years = 1965-1967
Team = NC State
Position = Quarterback
Coach = yes
CoachYears = 1985-1989
1990-1995
1996-2000
CoachTeams = Oklahoma (OC)
Marshall
Georgia
FootballHOF =
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Jim Donnan was a college football coach and is now an on-air television analyst for college football games as well as a motivational speaker.

Jim Donnan was the Offensive Coordinator at the University of Oklahoma from 1985-1989. From 1985-1988, he coached under Barry Switzer, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Super Bowl winning coach. Donnan coached the legendary Oklahoma Sooner Wishbone Offense that helped the Sooners to impressive 11-1 seasons from 1985-1987, including a national championship in 1985. In 1986, the Sooners scored 508 points, which at the time was the second highest point total in the schools storied history, trailing only the Sooners 1971 NCAA record setting rushing offense that scored 534 points. [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/big12/oklahoma/yearly_totals.php]

Donnan was head football coach at Marshall University, where he led the Thundering Herd to a 64-21 record from 1990 to 1995, including five consecutive 11-plus win seasons and the 1992 NCAA Division I-AA national football championship. He was named the Division I-AA Coach of the Year twice.

Donnan was then the head football coach at the University of Georgia from 1996 to 2000. He compiled a 40-19 record during his tenure. He was the first football coach in school history to lead Bulldog teams to four consecutive Bowl victories. Under Donnan, the Bulldogs won the Outback Bowl in 1997, the Peach Bowl in 1998, the Outback Bowl in 1999, and the Oahu Bowl in 2000. Before the 1997 game against Mississippi State, Donnan drove a steamroller into practice and told his players they "were either going to be the steamroller or the pavement"; Georgia won the game 47-0.Mark Schlabach, [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3084918 Richt's motivational gamble pays off for Georgia] , ESPN.com, October 29, 2007.]

However, Donnan was fired by University President Michael F. Adams (against the wishes of athletic director Vince Dooley) in 2000 after the Bulldogs struggled to two consecutive 8-win seasons, and 3 consecutive losses against Georgia Tech. His inability to return the program to the national prominence of the era of Dooley and to compete with longtime SEC Eastern division rivals such as Tennessee and Florida -- combined with certain off-the-field problems for players -- is believed to be the reason for his dismissal.

Prior to working as a head coach, he served as an assistant coach at several schools, including Kansas State University, University of Missouri, Florida State University, and the University of Oklahoma.

During his playing days as a QB at North Carolina State University, he defeated his future employer University of Georgia 14-7 in the 1967 Liberty Bowl. Jim Donnan was the ACC Player of the Year in 1967.

Donnan currently works as an analyst for [ESPN] ...working on ESPNEWS HotList and Overdrive and ESPN Radio College Gameday Tailgate. Donnan maintains a residence in Athens, Georgia while traveling the country to speak to various groups and organizations about motivation and leadership.

Related page

Georgia Bulldogs football under Jim DonnanFrequently enjoys mentioning how much he enjoys Ralphie whenever anyone brings up anyhing closely related to Colorado Football while on air for ESPN.

References

External links

* [http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46724&SPID=3571&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=523288 UGA Official History]