Kyle McDonald - Football Coach - Mercer University Athletics

Kyle McDonald

Title:
Special Teams Analyst
Alma Mater:
Georgia Southern, 2024
Office Phone:
(478) 301-2713

A seasoned coaching veteran who has already gained a slew of experience roaming the sidelines at a fellow Peach State school, Kyle McDonald begins his first year at Mercer in 2026-27 as the cornerbacks special teams assistant for the Bears. McDonald joined the coaching staff in Macon after spending the previous four years at Georgia Southern.

While serving as a student assistant in various defensive coaching roles from 2022-25, McDonald helped pace the Eagles to 27 victories and four bowl appearances, including a 29-10 victory over Appalachian State in the 2025 Birmingham Bowl. He served as a defensive line assistant for the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, while assisting with the GSU secondary in 2024 and 2025.

The Eagles yielded just 258.6 passing yards per game and picked off 13 passes amid an 8-win season in 2024 and shrunk that number to just 240.5 passing yards per game allowed on the way to a 7-win season in 2025. Georgia Southern tallied a dozen interceptions across his final campaign in Statesboro, Ga., as well. He also assisted in the development of five All-Sun Belt Conference selections.

A native of Newnan, Ga., McDonald was a standout wide receiver for legendary coach Chip Walker at Newnan High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Georgia Southern in 2024.