Among the infamous dynasties we recognize, there’s a lurking powerhouse that is overlooked. When we think dynasties in the college athletics, we think: Alabama Football, UCLA Men’s Basketball, UConn Women’s Basketball, or Iowa Wrestling. But, there’s a school that can claim 12 consecutive titles from 1984-1995, eight consecutive titles from 1992-199, four connective titles from 1990-1993, and four consecutive titles from 1997-200. An impressive resume that far surpasses any of the aforementioned schools.

That resume belongs to the Arkansas Razorback’s track team, which can lay claim to the most successful dynasty in college sports. Shockingly, there was one man at the helm for the entirety of Arkansas’ prolonged success. That’s right, the most successful coach in NCAA history isn’t any of the typical candidates we would think: Nick Saban, Coach K, John Wooden, Pat Summit, Geno Auriemma, Bear Bryant. No, that title belongs to Coach John McDonnell.

Coach McDonnell became the head coach of the Arkansas Razorback’s cross country team in 1972, where he would stay for 36 years. While at Arkansas, McDonnell would rack up 40 NCAA championships–11 cross country, 19 indoor track, and 10 outdoor track. The next closest coach, track coach Pat Henry, lags nine championships behind McDonnell. A staggering 23 Olympians came from Arkansas under McDonnell. To further blow the mind, 331 individual event conference champions were lead by McDonnell. Coach of the Year has been awarded to McDonnell 30 times, along with 49 Conference coach of the Year awards.

McDonnell grew up a successful Irish runner himself, winning six Irish National Championships and being named to the 1964 Irish Olympic team. Later in 1964, McDonnell accepted a scholarship from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he would become a six-time NCAA All-American. After graduating, McDonnell coached at the high school level from 1969-1971, until landing the cross country coach job at Arkansas in 1972 and was later given the keys to the entire men’s track and field program in 1978.

Success wasn’t immediate at Arkansas. The first championship didn’t come for McDonnell until 12 years after he joined Arkansas. And, clearly, it meant a lot to the coach. When asked what championship meant the most to him, McDonnell in a heavy Irish accent said “the first one…the first one took so long to come along. We were second or third so many times and I thought I was one of those guys that was never going to win the big one…I remember thinking I’d really like to get just one.”

But for all of the accomplishments in McDonnell’s historic career, him and his Razorback’s dynasty is relatively unknown. Aside from some specific running websites, not much is written about McDonnell. The New York Times did publish an article when McDonnell retired in 2008 and he authored his own autobiography entitled John McDonnell: The Most Successful Coach in NCAA History (a fitting title). But, if you scour YouTube in search of Coach McDonnell interviews or training methods, you’ll only find a few local news interviews. Google ‘greatest dynasties in NCAA history’ and you will find no mention of McDonnell and his Razorbacks.

Although, the University of Arkansas was not so quick to forget. Following his retirement, Arkansas promptly named their track field in McDonnell’s honor and erected a bronze statue for the coach.

You can purchase John McDonnell’s book on Amazon or any other major book outlet. When is this guy going to get a 30 for 30?