D.K. McDonald To Coach Cornerbacks At Iowa State

AMES, Iowa - D.K. McDonald, who spent the last four years at Toledo, will continue his relationship with Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell and join his Cyclone staff as cornerbacks coach.

“D.K. is a great recruiter and did a nice job with our defensive backfield at Toledo,” Campbell said. “We made great improvements in the secondary in the three years that he was there and will continue to do a tremendous job at Iowa State.”

McDonald has played a critical role in nurturing the Rockets' rapidly improving secondary. He was also a part of three nine-win campaigns and three bowl teams in his four seasons with the Rockets.

“Coach Campbell is a great, energetic young coach who, most importantly, cares about the kids.” McDonald said. “What Coach Campbell said about Iowa State sold me. Buildings are buildings and facilities are facilities, but being around great people was important to me and my family.”

In 2015, McDonald's work with the cornerbacks helped the Rockets rank first in the MAC in scoring defense at 21.1 points per game. One of his star corners, Cheatham Norrils, was fifth in the league in breakups with 13. Norrils ended his senior year with 60 tackles and three interceptions, as UT won nine games and earned its third bowl berth in four seasons.

McDonald may have faced his greatest challenge as a coach in 2014 when senior corners Norrils and Cameron Cole were lost for the season due to injuries. But McDonald skillfully guided the Rockets' young players, helping Toledo go 9-4 and win the GoDaddy Bowl. Junior Christian Dukes led UT cornerbacks with 62 tackles, two interceptions and 10 breakups.

In 2012, Toledo's secondary helped the Rockets rank among the top 25 in the nation in fourth-down conversions (ninth), red-zone defense (10th), interceptions (18th) and turnovers forced (25th). UT went 9-4 and earned a trip to play Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

A native of Orrville, Ohio, McDonald previously coached defensive backs at Edinboro (2003-05), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2006-10) and William & Mary (2011).

McDonald came to Toledo after one season at William & Mary, where he coached the defensive backs. Prior to that, McDonald was the secondary coach at Indiana (PA) for five seasons. During his tenure with the Crimson Hawks, McDonald mentored a pair of All-Americans and five all-conference performers. Highlighting those standouts was Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, a fourth-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2010. In addition to his coaching duties with the defense, McDonald also served as IUP's recruiting coordinator.

Prior to his stint at IUP, McDonald coached and coordinated the defensive secondary at his alma mater, Edinboro (PA), from 2003-06. During that time, he developed an All-American and four all-conference honorees. In 2005, the Fighting Scots led the nation in scoring, rushing and total defense and ranked third in passing efficiency defense.

McDonald was a four-year starter at cornerback at Edinboro from 1997-2000. He was a first-team All-PSAC West selection as a junior when he totaled 29 tackles and a team-high 11 pass breakups. McDonald finished his career with 108 tackles, four interceptions and 34 breakups.

McDonald graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 2001 and was a scholar-athlete all four years. He served as the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was an Erie area representative for that organization after his graduation.

McDonald and his wife Kayla have a daughter, Reagan.

Coaching Experience
2016 Iowa State - Cornerbacks
2012-15 Toledo - Cornerbacks
2011 William & Mary - Defensive Backs
2006-10 Indiana (PA) - Secondary
2003-05 Edinboro – Secondary

Iowa State University Athletics

D.K. McDonald To Coach Cornerbacks At Iowa State

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