this whole thing is getting blown out of proportion and this article made no sense to me... but then again, it is a NW Arkansas regional publication. taken from wholehogsports.com It has been four days since the story appeared about John McDonnell being told he could not be an assistant coach on the U. S. Olympic track team because he has coached international athletes. After chewing on it, there has been just no letting go of that slap in the face to McDonnell, even though he totally took the high road. What is this, Russia ? No one has done more for track and field in this country, or any country, than John McDonnell, and the U. S. Olympic Committee — and especially this year’s head Olympic track coach, Bubba Thornton — owe McDonnell an apology and reinstatement. .... Thornton, the head track coach at the University of Texas (no small coincidence ), invoked a never-used rule to get rid of the man he could never beat as a coach. Could this possibly have been because Thornton didn’t want to share the limelight in China with the single most successful coach in college athletics history ? Yes. Bubba Thornton, like so many other coaches, was up the track when McDonnell and his Razorbacks were crossing the finish line. The best finish Thornton and the Longhorns ever had in the NCAA Indoor Championships came in 2004, when they were fourth. Not gold, silver or bronze, but fourth. Arkansas didn’t win it, either, but the Razorbacks had won seven of the past 10. ****** McDonnell was voted to the Olympic team by his peers, who wanted to give the U. S. team the best shot possible at bringing home a boatload of gold. Instead, he was asked to reconsider representing the United States, and the flimsy excuse was because he had trained international athletes.... ...Initially, when asked to reconsider, McDonnell said: “Being honest, I’m not disappointed one bit. I didn’t make a big deal out of it.” Yet, 24 hours later, he struggled during the radio interview and kept some of his answers to one word. It was obvious he was hurt. The man dedicated his life to a sport, became the most successful at it in history, fell in love with the United States and, when voted onto the team, accepted readily even though he knew he was retiring as the Razorbacks’ head coach. Then, just like that, he gets a call from the Texas coach, a guy who can’t carry McDonnell’s whistle strap, and he’s asked to not coach. McDonnell considered what was in the best interest of the athletes he trains, and he stepped down. The thing is, John McDonnell won again. He locked down his disappointment for the good of the track athletes. The loser in this travesty is the U. S. track team. first, let me first say that john mcdonnell is a fine coach. he has had some amazing teams over the last few decades. second, i thought this whole thing was no big deal at first. there was a rule in place, it was enforced, and JM had a decision to make. he could either represent this country, abiding by the rules of the USOC and USATF, or be asked to resign, retaining the ability to coach his foreign athletes slated to compete at the games. thirdly, bubba thornton did not make up the rule, athletes and USOC members did. BT merely gave JM a choice. follow the rules, or don't. those are the facts to my knowledge. so as a someone who hopes to make the team going to beijing this year, i'm happy the rule is in place and being enforced. i would shudder to think that my USOC appointed coach for the multi-events (Boo Schexnayder) was busy helping other countries compete against the US (and possibly ME!) while in beijing!! this is not the NCAA... these are not foreign collegians trying to have a better life and get an education... this is the United States of America's Olympic Track and Field Team!! so if you're not up to helping only US athletes, then i don't want you on the coaching staff either. what if you HS or college coach started helping athletes from other schools during the NCAA's? State Championships? how do you think the athletic director at your school would take this news? that's why the rule is in place... athletes complained... presto! rule. lastly, to wholehogsports, do some research. it's one this to attack someone while praising another, but it's something completely different to do it with false statements... ****** championship count is pending their appeal to the NCAA for being punished for cheating. see article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-10-25-2430046632_x.htm