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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Akey hires veteran assistant McDonell

Last week Idaho coach Robb Akey hinted he had a target in mind to replace departing offensive line coach Dan Finn, and it turned out to be well-traveled offensive coach John McDonell. The Spokane native coached at Washington State from 1989-2000 (part of that time with Akey) before moving to Stanford, Notre Dame, Purdue and most recently Memphis and Bowling Green.

Read on.

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Here's the release from UI announcing the move. The Vandals' staff is now back to capacity with spring practice looming (it starts March 24).

MOSCOW, Idaho – John McDonell, a native of Spokane, Wash., has returned to his northwest roots as the offensive line coach at the University of Idaho, coach Robb Akey announced Tuesday.
“I’m excited as can be,” Akey said. “I’ve known John my entire college football life. He’s going to be a great addition to our staff.”
McDonell (pronounced MAC-dun-el) comes to Idaho from the University of Memphis, where he was the Tigers’ offensive line coach for one season (2010) after serving for one season in the same capacity at Bowling Green State University (2009).
After graduating from Montana’s Carroll College in 1981, McDonell embarked on a coaching career that began at Weber State (1984-88) before stops at Washington State (1989-2000), Stanford (2001, 2005), Notre Dame (2002-04) and Purdue (2006-08).
“He brings a wealth of experience to our staff,” Akey said. “He’s a first-class person, a great recruiter, a great football coach.
“He’s had success at the highest levels of football.”
McDonell welcomed the chance to return to his roots.
“It’s an outstanding opportunity for me and my family,” McDonell said. “We’re from the West. We wanted to get back out this way.
“Having the opportunity to work with coach Akey and the staff he has assembled and to continue to do with the program what they are doing is very exciting to me. It’s an opportunity to jump on board and continue the success the Vandals have been having.”
McDonell is a graduate of Spokane’s Gonzaga Prep. At Carroll College, he was an NAIA All-American his senior year after having been an all-Frontier Conference choice three times. He was inducted into the Carroll College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
 



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