Former Barry Switzer assistant takes the helm as Marshall University’s newest head coach
By David Walsh
HQ 4 | SUMMER 1990
When early January arrived in Huntington, Marshall University found itself in need of a head football coach. George Chaump, who in four years had taken the Thundering Herd to its greatest heights – namely a share of the school’s first Southern Conference championship and NCM IM runner-up finish – had resigned to accept a similar position at the U.S Naval Academy. For Chaump, the No. 2 coach in MU history in wins with 33, it fulfilled a dream to call the shots at a I-A school. ‘
The winds of change blew all the way out to Norman, Oklahoma, where Jim Donnan, offensive coordiriator for the powerful Oklahoma Sooners, would decide to toss his hat into the ring to succeed Chaump. Donnan became the first of four Division I-A assistants to interview for the position.
“I was at the point in my career where I would explore all opportunities,” Donnan said. “Plus, it was an area where I knew a lot of people.”
Donnan had worked in Oklahoma for five years under legendary head coach Barry Switzer. But, after the 1988 season, the Sooners were put on NCM probation and Switzer stepped down. Gary Gibbs, the team’s defensive coordinator, was named as Switzer’s replacement.
“The door was closed at Oklahoma,” said Donnan, who interviewed at Wisconsin a week before visiting Marshall.
Donnan’s credentials matched those sought by MU Athletic Director Lee Moon: familiarity with the passing game, ability to carry on the winning tradition at Marshall and preparation for a jump to NCM I-A competition by the midl 990s. A new 30,000 seat, on-campus stadium -which will replace the aging Fairfield Stadium – is expected to be constructed by fall of 1991. The long-awaited ground-breaking took place on July 18.
The Marshall search committee was thorough in its interviewing process. After careful screening and deliberation, the committee gave its support to Donnan. And, on Jan. 18, Moon formally extended the offer and Jim Donnan accepted his first position as head coach of a college program.
A day later, the school’s 24th head coach met with the media in Huntington and outlined his blueprint for success. Only 24 hours later, the partial staff he had assembled was on the road recruiting.
“It’s been a good fit,” Donnan, who turned 45 on Jan. 29, said of his brief association with Marshall.
“I’m prepared. I didn’t want to get into a situation where I’d have to give four or five years of my life to get a program competitive.
“This is an established program, a winJ1ing program. There’s a good nucleus and a bright future. And with the new stadium, Marshall can continue the move up. Those things are what attracted me here.”
Donnan, who stressed he had been cleared of any wrongdoing at Oklahoma in the wake of Barry Switzer’s fall, assured fans the “wishbone” offense would not become the norm at Marshall where an impressive passing offense has produced record-setting quarterbacks Carl Fodor, Tony Petersen and John Gregory in a six-year span.
In fact, when Donnan went to Oklahoma, his task was to implement passing to balance the program’s ground-oriented attack. During his three year stay at Oklahoma, the Sooners went 11-1 in three consecutive seasons, won an national Championship in 1985 and led the nation in rushing and scoring in 1986 and total offense and rushing in 1987. The overall mark in his tenure as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma was 49-10.
“My record speaks for itself,” Donnan said after he arrived. ‘Tm a proven winner.”
Donnan proved he is a man of his word in the annual Green-White game in April when Herd quarterbacks went to the air 80 times.
Before going to Oklahoma, Donnan served as an assistant coach at North Carolina State, Florida State, North Carolina, Kansas State and Missouri. Those stops helped him compile a wealth of knowledge on how to move the ball against today’s sophisticated defenses.
Before getting into coaching, Donnan enjoyed an outstanding athletic career at N .C. State where he earned a degree in economics in 1967. He was the all-conference quarterback and was voted Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year in 1967 when the Wolfpack went 9-2. State capped the season with a 14-7 win over Georgia in the Liberty Bowl where Donnan was named the game’s most valuable player. He still ranks in the school’s top 10 in several passing and total offense categories.
Donnan excelled in tennis as well and was runner-up in single in the ACC Tournament in 1965. The twotime academic All-American was recipient of the H.C. Kennett Awar.d as N.C. State’s outstanding student-athlete in 1967.
At Walter Williams High in Burlington, N.C., Donnan was a state singles champion in tennis, all-state quarterback and all-state guard in basketball.
Returning players and Herd backers have made Donnan and his staff feel right at home in Huntington.
“I surrounded myself with people I knew and wanted,” he said. “The players and coaches have blended well together.
“The support base we’ve got here is great. The support is so genuine. Marshall is the big show in town and the fans feel this is their team. They want to know what’s going on, but it’s hard to tell them everything. We’re glad they’re interested and it’s a plus for us.”
Despite a late start in recruiting, Donnan and his staff assembled a class that should make immediate contributions in the fall. Coaches worked the Tri-State Area and West Virginia hard.
“We can recruit here. Give the (assistant) coaches credit. They (high school coaches) realize we’re putting this area and the state first and they’ve been receptive,” Donnan said.
Four recruits from the Mountain State played on the victorious South team in the June 23 North-South All-Star Classic in Charleston.
“We need to keep recruiting on the same level we did last year,” Donnan said. “We have to develop the players we have and get them used to our system. We want them solid in academics. They’re in school to work toward a degree.” Donnan has been busy on the speaking circuit. In addition, he attracted more than 70 prep coaches to a two-day clinic he conducted one week before the spring game.
As for the current team, Donnan has to find a quarterback, build a solid defense and increase team speed. Senior Greg Supsura and sophomore Michael Payton will resume their battle for No. 1 when practice starts in August.
Spring ball featured a great deal of hitting. “We had more than usual,” Donnan said. “We had to see how they’d react.”
Marshall will be tested this fall as four of its games are again t teams that ranked 12th or higher last year in I-AA. Included in the seven-game home package are visits from defending national champ Georgia Southern and reigning SC champ Furman.
“Playing them at home is a plus,” Donnan said. “If we get a few breaks and keep the injuries down, I expect to be successful. If teams are going to get any of us, they’d better do it quick.”
In addition to spring recruiting, MU coaches were busy studying films of Furman, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State. They also looked at The Citadel since it runs the wishbone.
“There’s good players in this league and good coaching,” Donnan said. “Some people feel you have to go out and out-coach people. You have to out recruit. We have to prepare to give our team every chance to be successful and we’ll do that.”
Mike Carey, former president of the MU Quarterback Club, believes the Herd has the right man on the job.
“We had a lot of excellent candidates,” said Carey. “I think we picked the man who will lead us in the ’90s and create excitement to fill our new stadium.”
Another man in Donnan’s corner is Homer Rice, athletic director at Georgia Tech. “Jim has one of the brightest minds in the profession today,” he boasts. “Marshall University is lucky to have him.”
