D.K. McDonald

Biography

A 22-year coaching veteran, D.K. McDonald joined the Kansas football staff as the Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs coach in February of 2024 under head coach Lance Leipold and was promoted to defensive coordinator following the 2024 season. In his first season in Lawrence, McDonald guided a standout secondary unit that included a pair of All-Americans in Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson. The KU cornerback duo combined for nine interceptions in 2024, earning them All-American honors and marking the first time in program history that two cornerbacks were named All-America in the same season. Both Bryant and Dotson were named First Team All-Big 12, with Bryant being picked as a unanimous selection. Kansas’ defense made strides as a whole in 2024, holding opponents to 26 points per game, the fewest points allowed since 2007 (16.4). Since 2000, Kansas’ defense has allowed 26 or fewer points per game just five times (2024, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004). McDonald arrived in Lawrence as a distinguished defensive coach of more than 20 years, working most recently as the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. McDonald joined the Eagles’ staff in 2021, serving as an assistant defensive backs coach before being promoted in 2023. During the 2022 campaign, when Philadelphia went 14-3 and advanced to Super Bowl LVII, McDonald helped prepare the second-ranked total defense (301.5 ypg) in the NFL. The Eagles led the league in fewest passing yards allowed per game (179.8) and finish