Mark McDonough enters his 10th year as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Williams College football team in 2026.

During the Ephs’ unblemished 9-0 campaign in 2021, the Williams’ defense led the NESCAC in passing yards allowed and passing efficiency defense, plus was second in total defense (and 24th nationally), yielding just 266.8 yards per game.

Prior to his tenure with the Ephs, McDonough spent six seasons coaching at Ithaca College (2011-16), serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Bombers.

Ithaca finished among the top three teams in the Liberty League in scoring defense in each of his six seasons, topping the conference three times (2011, 2013 and 2016). McDonough also served as the interim head coach for four games during the 2012 season.

McDonough's first intercollegiate coaching opportunity was at Springfield College from 2003-04, where he coached the Pride's inside linebackers and taught the principles of the 3-4 defense. He then joined the staff at Holy Cross and spent seven seasons (2005-11) with the Crusaders, working with the inside linebackers for five years and the outside linebackers for another. He also coached the special teams and served as the film/video coordinator for Holy Cross.

Additionally, McDonough was the linebackers coach for the USA Football team that won the gold medal at the 2014 World Championships played in Kuwait.

McDonough played linebacker at Ithaca College and earned Third-Team All-American honors. In 2001, he played in the Aztec Bowl vs. Mexico and ended his Bomber career ranked sixth all-time in tackles.

A 2002 graduate of Ithaca, McDonough earned a Bachelor of Science in sports management, and in 2014, he earned a Master of Science from Springfield College in physical education, with a concentration in athletic administration.