Jeff McDonald enters his eighth season on the Cardinals coaching staff, and resumes his role as Defensive Coordinator while continuing to direct the linebackers. Statistically over the last three seasons, the Cardinal defense has consistently been ranked in the top-three in the NESCAC, highlighted by the 2014 squad that ranked No. 1 in total defense in all of NCAA Division III. During this time, the Cardinals have broken Wesleyan records for the number of All-NESCAC selections. Prior to being named the defensive coordinator, McDonald served as special teams coordinator, and his special teams were repeatedly ranked in the top half of the NESCAC rankings. During this time, Wesleyan went back-to-back seasons placing both a kicker and returner on the All-NESCAC team. This was a first for the tradition rich Wesleyan Football program.
In 2008, McDonald served as the defensive coordinator for Towson University in arguably the best FCS conference in the country. From 2002-2007, McDonald served as an assistant football coach at Yale University. Coaching the defensive ends and outside linebackers, he helped the Bulldogs win the Ivy League Championship in 2006 while coaching six all-league players. The 2007 Yale defense finished the season ranked as the No. 1 scoring defense in the FCS. McDonald was also the recruiting coordinator overseeing the Eli’s national recruiting efforts. The veteran coach also spent time coaching the linebackers at Central Connecticut State University (spring 2009) and the University of New Hampshire (2001). His college coaching career began at Quincy University (NCAA Division II) in Illinois where he served in a number of different roles including defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for the Hawks. McDonald received his master’s degree in 2004 from Quincy. Upon graduating from the University of South Florida in 1995, McDonald taught history and coached football at Ridgewood High School in New Port Richey, Fla.
McDonald has led the team in its drive to get involved in the Middletown community. The team has partnered with local schools, mentoring their students and adding extra supervision during recess. The team’s ‘Recess at Wesleyan’ program and ‘Stuff the Nets’ gift drive has worked with local schools annually since 2011.
He is also the advisor for Wesleyan's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, sits on two different committees with the local United Way chapter, and is active with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.
Within the athletic department, McDonald holds the title of Assistant to the Director for Operations. In this role, McDonald works with both the Middletown and campus communities to help strengthen connections while supporting operations and facility development. In conjunction with the magazine American Football Monthly, McDonald writes a blog on defensive football techniques and speaks regularly at the annual Nike Coach of the Year Clinics. McDonald, who grew up in Jupiter, Fla, now lives in Middletown with his wife, the former Rebecca Lieser, and their daughter Olivia.
