Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

It is not often that an assistant coach is selected for induction in an Athletic Hall of Fame. It is a tribute to the impact that Bill McDonald had on the IUP program that he has earned this rare distinction.

McDonald directed the IUP offense from 1966-68 and was a member of the staff that led the Indians to the Boardwalk Bowl in his final season. That year IUP averaged 38.4 points per game and scored 75 versus Northwood, a record that stood for 39 years.

IUP won 24 of 27 games during his three years in Indiana, including three straight wins over rival Edinboro. Perhaps it was that success that prompted Edinboro to hire McDonald as head coach following the 1968 season.

After a transition season in 1969, Edinboro embarked on a two-year run that brought the Scots to unprecedented heights. The team won all eight of its regular season games in 1970, captured the Lambert Bowl and PSAC championship and made the semifinals of the NAIA playoffs, posting an overall record of 9-1.

The following year, the Scots were again 9-1 and McDonald was a region and district coach of the year. He retired as head coach following the 1978 season with a record of 54-34-7, the most wins in Edinboro history at the time.

Prior to embarking on his college career, McDonald was an assistant under Chuck Klausing for two undefeated seasons at Braddock High School and then won 46 games in seven years as the head coach at Hopewell High School.

McDonald attended the University of Cincinnati and played fullback and linebacker for the Bearcats. He received his bachelor's and master's degree in education from Cincinnati and also did postgraduate work at Penn State, Pittsburgh and IUP.

McDonald served two years in the United States Army and fought in the Korean War and was a professor of physical education at Edinboro. He was a founding member of the Erie County YMCA and held a longtime seat on its board of directors.

McDonald is a member of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame and Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (East Boros). In June 2009 he was selected for induction into the Erie County Sports Hall of Fame.

McDonald, who passed away in 2002, and his wife, Joanne, are the parents of Amy, Johanna and David. The couple also has 10 grandchildren – five boys and five girls.