John McDonell Position: Offensive Line Alma Mater: Carroll College '81

Offensive line coach John McDonell is in his third season with Notre Dame concentrating on centers and guards. A veteran coach of more than 20 years experience, McDonnell works in conjunction with Mike Denbrock, who coaches the tackles and tight ends.

Notre Dame's centers and guards have played a major role in producing 1,000-yard rushers in both of McDonnell's first two seasons in South Bend. In 2003, Julius Jones rushed for 1,268 yards and 10 touchdowns to become the eighth 1,000-yard rusher in school history. Jones' rushing total ranks tied for the fourth-best in Notre Dame history. Jones also rushed for more than 200 yards in a game three times in 2003, including a school-record 262-yard performance against Pittsburgh, 221 yards against Navy and 218 versus Stanford.

In 2002, Ryan Grant garnered the 10th-best single-season rushing performance in school history with 1,085 yards on the ground. Grant's year was highlighted by the 12th-best single-game rushing day when he gained 190 yards on the ground at Air Force. Grant and Rashon Powers-Neal also became the first running back tandem to record 100-yards rushing in the same game (versus Stanford) since 1977.

During his two seasons at Notre Dame, McDonnell has tutored several offensive linemen who have become NFL Draft selections. In the 2004 Draft, offensive tackle Jim Molinaro was selected by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round. In 2003, Notre Dame had four offensive linemen taken in the draft as center Jeff Faine was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, tackle Jordan Black went in the fifth round to the Kansas City Chiefs, Sean Mahan was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and tackle Brennan Curtin was a sixth-round selection of the Green Bay Packers.

Prior to coming to Notre Dame, McDonnell worked in a similar capacity under head coach Tyrone Willingham for one season at Stanford in 2001. He then brought his extensive knowledge to the Irish centers and guards and helped coach 2002 first-team All-American and Rimington Award runner-up Jeff Faine, who was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News and ESPN.com and was taken in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Before joining the Notre Dame staff, McDonnell was a veteran of the Pacific-10 Conference and worked with Irish head coach Tyrone Willingham's Stanford staff in 2001. His impact was immediately felt as the 2001 Cardinal ranked 23rd nationally in rushing, averaging more than 200 yards per game and scoring 27 touchdowns. In addition, McDonell coached first-team All-America selection Eric Heitmann, a 2002 draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers.

Prior to his stint at Stanford, McDonell spent 12 years coaching at Washington State University under head coach Mike Price. While with the Cougars, McDonell was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach (1994-2000) the last seven years of his tenure. Before that, he coached the offensive line and tight ends from 1989-93.

While at Washington State, McDonell was part of three bowl teams, one Pac-10 championship team and some of the greatest offenses in school history. In 1997, with McDonell as the offensive coordinator, the Cougars captured the Pac-10 title and earned a Rose Bowl berth. Washington State finished the year ranked ninth in the nation with a 10-2 record, while McDonell's offense led the Pac-10 and was second nationally averaging 502 yards in total offense per game. His offense also set conference records for most points scored and most yards gained in a season.

In 1994, Washington State finished the season with an 8-4 record, a win in the Alamo Bowl and a No. 24 final ranking. McDonell also was part of the Washington State team that went to the Copper Bowl in 1992 defeating Utah, 31-28. The 1992 Cougars led the Pac-10 in total offense, posted a 9-3 record and a No. 15 final ranking. With McDonnell on the staff at WSU as running backs coach from 1994-97 was current Irish running backs coach Buzz Preston.

McDonell also spent five seasons under Price at Weber State (1984-88) as the offensive line coach. At Weber State, McDonell coached one of the top offenses in NCAA Division 1-AA. In 1987, Weber State finished 10th in the final regular-season poll, won the Big Sky Conference championship and reached the 1-AA semifinals. Weber State also led the nation in total offense in 1985 and ranked third in 1986.

McDonell began his coaching career at Carroll College, his alma mater, right after graduating with a bachelor's degree in social science in 1981. As a player at Carroll College (1977-80), McDonell was a four-year starter, a team captain and received All-America recognition following his senior season. He was inducted into the Carroll College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

A native of Spokane, Wash., McDonnell attended Gonzaga Prep High School. Born June 2, 1959, in Spokane, McDonell and his wife, Mindy, have two children: Michael (6) and Megan (4). The couple resides in Granger.