Coach Jim Donnan, inspiring motivator famous for his contributions to Marshall.

After a successful career as a quarterback for North Carolina State, Jim Donnan carried his love for the game into the realm of coaching with enough motivation and tough leadership to catapult his underrated teams into the spotlight. As an offensive coordinator, Donnan drove the University of Oklahoma’s legendary “Wishbone” offense and the Sooners plowed through opponents to snag a national championship in 1985.

As his coaching prowess pushed Donnan into national recognition, he was offered the head coaching position at Marshall University where he would rewrite school history. From 1990 to 1995 Marshall racked up an impressive 64 wins while only losing 21 games, leading to five 11-plus win seasons and the 1992 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship title. Coach Donnan facilitated Marshall’s development into a major football contender, pushing the Thundering Herd past the bounds of Division I-AA.

Beyond his role as a skilled coach with an in-depth understanding of offensive assault, Coach Donnan’s ability to motivate and inspire remains legendary. While head coach at the University of Georgia, his entrance on a steamroller before the 1997 game against Mississippi State went down in history as he told his players they would either be “the steamroller or the pavement.” With Coach Donnan’s dramatic message in mind, the Bulldogs managed to flatten Mississippi State, demolishing it 47-0.

Since retiring in 2000, Donnan has maintained his passion for motivating audiences by speaking at various meetings and events around the country. According to former Oklahoma Head Coach Barry Switzer, “Without question, Jim Donnan is one of the finest offensive coaches I was ever associated with in college football. His offenses were the best in the nation in rushing and scoring.” He also currently analyzes college football for ESPN and, when not travelling, resides in in Athens, Georgia.

To learn more about Donnan’s success as a motivational speaker, read here: http://jimdonnan.com/HOME.html