D. K. McDonald

D. K. McDonald is an American college football coach. He is the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the University of Kansas, a position he has held since 2024.

D. K. McDonald

Current position
Title	Defensive coordinator, cornerbacks coach
Team	Kansas Jayhawks
Conference	Big 12
Biographical details
Alma mater	Pennsylvania Western University, Edinboro (2001)
Playing career
1997–2000	Edinboro
Position(s)	Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2003–2005	Edinboro (DB)
2006–2010	IUP (DB)
2011	William & Mary (DB)
2012–2015	Toledo (CB)
2016–2018	Iowa State (PGC/CB)
2019–2020	Iowa State (PGC/S)
2021–2022	Philadelphia Eagles (assistant DB)
2023	Philadelphia Eagles (DB)
2024	Kansas (co-DC/CB)
2025–present	Kansas (DC)

Coaching career

McDonald got his first coaching job in 2003 as the secondary coach for his alma mater Edinboro.^[1] In 2006, He joined IUP as the team's secondary coach.^[2]

In 2011, McDonald got his first NCAA Division I coaching job with William & Mary as the team's defensive backs coach.^[3] In 2012, he was hired as the cornerbacks coach at Toledo.^[4] In 2016, he was hired by Iowa State as their passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. He would also coach safeties in 2018.^[5]

In 2021, McDonald was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) to be an assistant defensive backs coach.^[6] For the 2023 season, he was promoted by the Eagles to be team's defensive backs coach.^[7]

In 2024, McDonald returned to college football as he was hired by Kansas to serve as the team's co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach.^[8]

On December 8, 2024, McDonald was elevated to the role of defensive coordinator following the retirement of Brian Borland..^[9]