Ole Miss’ replacement for long-time track and field head coach Joe Walker is someone who is very familiar with Walker’s teaching methods, compassion for student-athletes and love for the school. Brian O’Neal was officially introduced Tuesday afternoon as Walker’s replacement in a ceremony held just a few feet away from his mentor’s former office at the track facility.
O’Neal, a native of Pontotoc who was a four-year letterman at Ole Miss from 1989-1993, comes back to Oxford after spending the last four years of his coaching career at Florida and just days after helping leading the Gators to the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Drake University. Leaving Ole Miss after 14 years may have been tough to do initially, but the journey to Gainesville, Fla., and back has made O’Neal a better coach in his estimation. (June 13, 2012, Page 6)
