Donnan to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Jim Donnan, head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs from 1996-2000 and the first Bulldog coach to win four consecutive bowl games, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this summer.
Donnan boasted a winning percentage of more than 70 percent while leading Marshall and Georgia to national prominence.
In 1996 he took the job at Georgia where he won four consecutive bowl games and pushed his postseason record to 19-4. The 1997 SEC Coach of the Year, Donnan set a then Georgia record with four-straight eight-win seasons.
He spent six seasons with Marshall and posted a 64-21 record. Donnan led the Thundering Herd to four Division I-AA National Championship games, winning the 1992 national title. In 1994, the Thundering Herd won the Southern Conference Championship. He was named Division I-AA Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1995.
Prior to his head coaching career, Donnan helped construct the Oklahoma Sooners wishbone offense that led to 28-straight Big 8 Conference wins and the 1985 NCAA National Championship as the offensive coordinator under Hall of Famer Barry Switzer. Donnan now works as an analyst for ESPN.
This year’s class will be inducted during the Enshrinement Festival, July 18-19, in South Bend, Ind. Joining Donnan in the Hall will be:
Players
ROGER BROWN – Maryland-Eastern Shore, DT (1956-59)
FRED DEAN – Louisiana Tech, DT (1971-74)
SAM MILLS* – Montclair State (N.J.), LB (1977-80)
ROD SMITH – Missouri Southern State, WR (1988, 1990-93)
Coaches
VOLNEY ASHFORD* – 197-55-12 (.769); Missouri Valley (Mo.) (1937-71)
* Deceased
