Jim Donnan - (2010)

           Jim Donnan began his playing career in Asheville where he was chosen “Boy of the Year” in 1957 honoring his diverse athletic skills.  After moving to Burlington, he became on one of the town’s most celebrated athletes.  Donnan excelled in football and basketball, winning the state championship in tennis as well as many state age-group titles in table tennis.  After graduation, he won numerous singles and doubles events including the N.C. State Doubles with partner, Sangi Arisawa. In 2008, Donnan was inducted into the Alamance Hall of Fame. 
            Jim Donnan had a stellar career as punter and quarterback at N.C. State and was chosen by Coach and Athlete Magazine as the ACC Player-of-the-Year.  In 1967, he was selected MVP of the Liberty Bowl.  An outstanding tennis player for the Wolfpack, Donnan proved to be just as successful in the classroom receiving the prestigious H.C. Kennett Award as N.C. State’s Outstanding Student Athlete. He was honored as well with selections to the ACC All-Academic team in 1966-67.   
            Jim Donnan became a college football coach and moved to several schools before taking over as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 1985.  His teams won three Big 8 Championships and 28 straight conference games before winning the 1985 National Championship and leading the nation in scoring and rushing three different years.  His head coaching career started in 1990 for the Marshall University Thundering Herd.  Drawing from his expansive experience, he created THE Division I-AA team of the 1990s.  Coach Donnan set a career playoff record with the second highest all time record in I-AA.  His teams were among the nation’s top ten in scoring offense, scoring defense and special teams play every year.  Donnan led Marshall to four Division I-AA National Championship games, winning the 1992 national title and the 1994 Southern Conference Championship.  He was named Division I-AA Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1995. 
           In 1995, Jim Donnan became the head football coach at the University of Georgia.  His career spanned five years and was marked by successes on and off of the field.  He returned the historic program to the upper echelon in the SEC by winning 35 games in three years, being honored as the 1997 SEC Coach of the Year.   Undefeated as a head coach in bowl games, Jim Donnan has a 19-4 record in post-season play.  His 104 victories as a head coach from 1990-2000 was fourth best among all current Division I head coaches nationally.
         In 2009, Jim Donnan received the sport’s ultimate honor upon his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.  He contributes to the game today by working as a sought-after commentator in radio and television.  Having chaired the “Coaches vs. Cancer” effort, Donnan works tirelessly with multiple charitable organizations.
         The consummate family man, Coach Donnan and his wife, Mary, are the proud parents of three children and four grandchildren.