3 February 2024
LAWRENCE (KSNT) – A 21-year veteran football coach is leaving the NFL to join the Jayhawks.
According to multiple reports, including Action Network’s Brett McMurphy and The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, KU is expected to hire D.K. McDonald as its co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
McDonald joins Lance Leipold’s staff after three years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was promoted to defensive backs coach with the Eagles prior to the 2023 season. It’s a return to the Big 12 for McDonald, who spent five seasons at Iowa State before joining the staff in Philly.
McDonald joins KU’s staff after defensive backs coach Jordan Peterson took a job at Texas A&M. Peterson left Lawrence despite being promoted to co-defensive coordinator quickly after the 2023 season ended.
McDonald played cornerback at Edinboro and brings in unique experience from his time as the president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The new Jayhawk coach is a native of Orrville, Ohio.