Joshua MacDonald

Biography

Josh MacDonald joined Jim Penders' staff in 2012 and enters his 15th season as Husky pitching coach in 2026. MacDonald is part of the longest tenured coaching staff in Division I baseball. MacDonald has coached seven All-Americans during his time in Storrs and had an All-American in six of seven completed seasons (Cross ('15), Kay ('16), Russell ('17), Feole & Poulin ('18), Jacob Wallace ('19) and Austin Peterson (2022). (*2020 season shortened due to Covid-19) Under MacDonald the Huskies have eclipsed 500 strikeouts as a staff the past 10 seasons, including a program record 642 strikeouts in 2022. (*2020 season shortened due to Covid-19). In 2025, the Huskies won 38 games and won a fifth-straight BIG EAST regular season championship. UConn closer Brady Afthim earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honors with nine saves and and a team-low 2.45 ERA. Afthim finished his career with 92 career appearances under MacDonald, ranking second most in program history. Senior Ian Cooke closed his career with 276 strikeouts, also ranking second in UConn history. In 2025 MLB Draft, Brady Afthim was selected in the 13th Round by the Cincinnati Reds. On August 6, 2025, PJ Poulin made his Major League debut with the Washington Nationals. During the 2024 season, the Huskies captured a NCAA Norman Regional title to advance to the program's third Super Regional. The Huskies earned their sixth-straight NCAA Tournament berth and won their fourth-straight BIG EAST regular season crown. Ian Cooke captured