Bucknam working hard to carry on impressive tradition as Arkansas track coach

New track coach making own mark at Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Occasionally, Chris Bucknam will stop and think a little bit — and wonder what, exactly, he’s gotten himself into.

That’s when Arkansas’ new track and field coach has to catch himself. The last thing he needs is more pressure.

“I try not to look behind, and just try to focus in on the job that’s right in front of me,” Bucknam said. “It’s scary when you look behind.”

Bucknam was hired last June to replace John McDonnell, the soft-spoken Irishman who coached the Arkansas men to 40 national championships in track and field and cross country. After 25 seasons at Northern Iowa, Bucknam’s resume was impressive, but at Arkansas, he’ll be measured against a different standard.

Bucknam will try to win his first national title with the Razorbacks this week when they host the NCAA track and field championships.

“My kids have been really good,” he said. “We could have gone either way on the transition with a new coach. I think we’ve taken a positive step forward.”

Bucknam won 35 league titles at Northern Iowa, but that didn’t necessarily make him a household name. When McDonnell retired last year, Arkansas distance runner Scott MacPherson wasn’t sure what to think.

“When I found out who the new coach was going to be, I’d never heard of Coach Bucknam,” MacPherson said. “Turns out, he’s an amazing guy and an amazing coach and I couldn’t be happier to have him.”

The Arkansas men are in strong shape entering this week’s meet, which starts Wednesday. The Razorbacks are ranked No. 4 in the most recent USTFCCCA coaches’ poll and won Southeastern Conference titles this year in both indoor and outdoor track and field.

Not a bad first season for Bucknam, even by Arkansas’ standards.

“People can compare him to Coach Mac all they want, but he’s won two conference championships in his first year as head track coach,” said MacPherson, a senior. “Almost everyone training under him has set personal bests this year. Everyone’s improving, and everyone’s having a good time.”

The Razorbacks will have plenty of competition this week. The Oregon men are trying for a rare “Triple Crown” after winning national championships in cross country and indoor track and field earlier this season. The Ducks are led by distance runner Galen Rupp, who is entered at 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

Oregon is ranked No. 2 entering this meet, behind Texas A&M. Texas A&M and Oregon are ranked 1-2 on the women’s side as well.

Arkansas has hosted the indoor national championships several times, and now the Razorbacks will show off a sparkling outdoor facility that sits just down the road from their football stadium. It’s called John McDonnell Field.

“To intimidate everybody, I think,” Oregon coach Vin Lananna joked. “John probably has been the benchmark by which all programs measure their track and field programs.”

Opposing coaches have had a hard time competing against McDonnell — and now Bucknam has to deal with the expectations created by the former coach’s success. Still, he doesn’t view McDonnell’s legacy as a burden.

“Every day I go to these two great facilities that he helped build, and when I call a recruit anywhere in the world, the brand ‘Arkansas Track and Field’ allows me my foot in the door,” Bucknam said. “Believe me, it’s not a bad thing.”

Bucknam says he talks with McDonnell occasionally, although he’s careful to let the former coach enjoy his retirement. Now, Bucknam is trying to carry on the Arkansas tradition in his own style.

MacPherson says Bucknam is at times a little more laid back than his predecessor, and so far that approach seems to be working. The Razorbacks appear poised for a big improvement after finishing an uncharacteristic 17th at last year’s NCAA outdoor meet. They might even win their first national championship since 2006.

“Every meet we enter, our goal is always to win. I think the guys on this team, especially the upperclassmen like myself, we’ve kind of had a drought of championships,” MacPherson said. “Hopefully we can fix that.”