Assistant Defensive Backs Coach

Bio

Kyriq McDonald joined the Defiance football staff for the 2025 season as an assistant defensive backs coach. In January 2026, he was elevated to the Wide Receivers Coach.

McDonald's coaching journey began at the University of Findlay in February 2024 as he aided the Oilers spring program until departing in July for a graduate assistant role at D-I Alabama A&M. While in Huntsville, McDonald coached defensive backs and helped one athlete reach Second Team All-SWAC honors.

Before coaching, McDonald had a decorated playing career at the NCAA Division I level. The Madison, Ala. native was recruited by Nick Saban and spent his first three years at Alabama. He appeared in 11 games and was a two-time SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, and was a member of the 2018 National Championship team. He spent one year at Cincinnati under Luke Fickell but an injury halted his season in just the second game. He moved on to Missouri State for his final three years of eligibility and played for Bobby Petrino. For the Bears, he was a three-year starter, team captain and two-time All-MVFC player and helped Missouri State to its first conference title (2021) in over 20 years. After his college career, McDonald earned an NFL opportunity as an undrafted free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 and attended their rookie minicamp.

Coach McDonald earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2021 in interdisciplinary studies.