The offseason coaching carousel never seems to stop and on Friday evening, it continued to spin. Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach D.K. McDonald is expected to join the Kansas Jayhawks to become their new co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, according to Bruce Feldman.
During the 2022 season, the Eagles went 14-3 overall and made it all the way to the Super Bowl. McDonald played a critical role in preparing the second-ranked total defense in the National Football League (301.5 yards per game). Philadelphia led the league in passing yards allowed per game (179.8), finished third in opponent passer rating (81.6), finishing fourth in interceptions (17), and fifth in passes defended (81).
During his first season with the Philly franchise, McDonald was a critical part of the defense that allowed the fifth-fewest explosive plays (117) and eighth-fewest passing yards per attempt (6.8) in the league.
Before working with the Philadelphia Eagles, he spent the previous five seasons with the Iowa State Cyclones, where he worked as the pass game coordinator and worked with their defensive backs. He worked with their safeties (2019-2020) and cornerbacks (2016-2018).
In 2020, McDonald helped the Cyclones finish second in the Big 12 in scoring defense (21.4 points allowed per game) and total defense (340.4 yards per game). He also had three safeties earn All-Big 12 accolades (Greg Eisworth, Lawrence White, and Isheem Young). Brian Peavy was also a success story of his. He earned first team All-American honors in 2018, along with earning All-Big 12 honors for the fourth straight year.
Last season, the Jayhawks finished with a 9-4 overall record, one of the best seasons in the past two decades in Lawrence. Head coach Lance Leipold has revived the program there in a big way and McDonald seems to be excited to be a part what he’s building there.
Kansas defeated UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl 49-36, after quarterback Jason Bean threw for 449 yards and six touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions. The Jayhawks return one of the most explosive quarterbacks in all of college football in dual-threat Jalon Daniels. He’s suffered a number of injuries the past few seasons and will look to put together a full season together in 2024.
The Jayhawks will get a rematch with UNLV, when they face off on Saturday, Sept. 24th. Kansas is still in the process of renovating their stadium, so they’ll play two home games next year at Children’s Mercy Park and four home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium–home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
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