D.K. McDonald - Football Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

D.K. McDonald

Title:
Cornerbacks
Email:
darrellm@iastate.edu
Phone:
4-6721

D.K. McDonald, who spent four years at Toledo on Matt Campbell’s staff, is in his sixth season at Iowa State. He worked with the cornerbacks in his first three seasons and began assisting the safeties in 2019.

McDonald has been a key part of Iowa State’s incredible improvement, as the Cyclones have qualified for four-straight bowl games, annually appeared in the national rankings, won 32 games and totaled four of ISU’s five above-.500 conference seasons in the history of the Big 12 Conference (1996-present) since 2017.

The 2020 season was historic in many ways. Iowa State finished the regular season in first place in the Big 12 standings, made the Big 12 Championship game and qualified for a New Year’s Six bowl for the first time in school history.

The Cyclones capped off the season with a 34-17 win over Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

ISU’s eight conferences wins and nine overall wins eclipsed or tied school records, and the Cyclones earned their highest ranking in school history during the season (#6) and postseason (#9).

McDonald’s involvement with the Cyclone defense has helped the team rank in the top-three in the Big 12 in scoring defense in each of the last four seasons.

The 2020 Cyclones were second in the Big 12 in both scoring defense (21.4) and total defense (340.4), the lowest total defensive total in 15 years.

McDonald has tutored three safeties to All-Big 12 honors in Greg Eisworth, Lawrence White and Isheem Young. Eisworth earned All-Big 12 First Team accolades for the third-straight season in 2020, becoming the first Cyclone in school history to earn first team recognition by the Big 12 three times.

Young had an incredible rookie season in 2020, leading all Big 12 freshman tacklers (50) en route to Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. Young tied for first in the league and sixth in the nation with three forced fumbles.

In his first three seasons at Iowa State, McDonald mentored three corners who earned All-Big 12 recognition five times, as the Cyclones led the Big 12 in both scoring defense (22.9) and rushing defense (115.0) in 2018.

One of McDonald’s success stories was Brian Peavy, who earned First-Team All-America honors by Pro Football Focus and was lauded as an All-Big 12 performer for the fourth consecutive season in 2018.

Peavy ranks as one of the best cornerbacks in the history of the program, ending his career with 47 starts, 289 tackles, six interceptions, six forced fumbles and 44 passes defended.

In 2016, Jamal Perry and Peavy both were named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 by the league’s coaches. Perry spent his first two years on NFL practice squads before making the Miami Dolphin roster in 2019, starting six games in the Dolphin secondary.

McDonald played a critical role in nurturing the Rockets’ secondary in his tenure at Toledo. He was also a part of three nine-win campaigns and three bowl teams in his four seasons with the Rockets.

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.

Norrils went on to earn first-team All-MAC honors in 2015.

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 two daughters - Reagan and Margot.

Coaching Experience
2019- Iowa State - Safeties
2016-18 Iowa State - Cornerbacks
2012-15 Toledo - Cornerbacks
2011 William & Mary - Defensive Backs
2006-10 Indiana (PA) - Secondary
2003-05 Edinboro – Secondary

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