MacDonald has been on the Gryphons’ sidelines for 12 years, during which the team missed the playoffs only once, winning the OUA’s Yates Cup in 2015. During this period, he served under four different head coaches, and worked with 80 different offensive linemen, eight of whom were drafted into the Canadian Football League. His two sons Brett and Daniel also played for the team, although he did not directly coach them. In the recently concluded 2021 season, MacDonald received the OUA and U Sports.
MacDonald, 64, said that he wanted to focus more on his family and travel:
"Football's an all-consuming thing. Coaching football at that level is very intensive. I love it. I love coaching. I love competition and my time at Guelph was outstanding, but we want to be able to do some travelling now.”
The coach will still be involved in the Gryphons community, looking to recruit players at the high school level. MacDonald is also involved in coaching minor football in his native Burlington. Canadian university football depends on community support and volunteer efforts such as MacDonald’s, from rides to early-morning practices to championship banner printing.
MacDonald announced his retirement at the end of the Gryphon’s 2021 season, effective immediately.