A Visit with Coach John McDonnell : A Fort Smith Library Food for Thought Program

Join retired University of Arkansas Coach John McDonnell at the Fort Smith Public Library to celebrate the release of the book John McDonnell: The Most Successful Coach in NCAA History by Andrew Maloney and John McDonnell.  Emmy award-winning filmmaker Larry Foley will also show his documentary on McDonnell and moderate a discussion followed by a book signing.  This event is free and open to the public.

This new biography tells the story of the great coach's life and legacy, from his childhood growing up on a farm in 1940s County Mayo Ireland, to his own running career, to the beginnings of his life as a coach, and to all the great athletes he mentored along the way.

John McDonnell was the head coach of the Arkansas Razorback Track-and-Field teams from 1978 until his retirement in 2008, during which time he won an unprecedented forty national championships. He currently spends his time in Fayetteville and on his ranch in Oklahoma.