Hays head coach Donny McDonald (left) seen here talking to current Lehman head coach and former Lady Rebel assistant Danny Preuss, has decided to retire after 35 years in the business. (Photo by Jason Gordon)
By JASON GORDON
One of the most charismatic coaches to ever walk the Hays High School campus has decided to call it a career.
Lady Rebel basketball coach Donny McDonald will step down at the end of the school year.
He led the Lady Rebs to the state tournament in both 2001 and 2009, and amassed 399 of his 668 career wins in 16 years at Hays. The Lady Rebels made the playoffs 13 of the last 14 years.
McDonald’s 35-year coaching career also included stops at San Marcos High and San Antonio Madison.
“It was just time,” McDonald said. “I was going to retire after last season, but when we made it to state and had nearly everyone coming back, I decided to wait. It was still a tough decision. I went back and forth on it.”
McDonald’s younger brother Lynn retired last season as boys head coach at Clear Lake High.
“All my friends were retiring," McDonald said. “When my younger brother retired, I knew it was about time for me to do the same.”
McDonald certainly left an impression on those he worked with and the players he coached.
“He’s not just an awesome coach, but a great person,” said Danny Preuss, the current Lehman girls basketball head coach and former Hays assistant coach. “He’s a great family man and was a great mentor. I coached with Donny for 10 years and I definitely have his coaching style. It was a great 35-year run. Not many people anywhere can say they’ve had as much success as he did coaching.”
Hays school board vice president Mark Jones said it will be hard to replace McDonald.
“He’s the type of coach kids wanted to play for,” Jones said. “He truly cared for them and enjoyed being around them.”
Hays athletic director Bob Shelton agreed.
“Donny certainly did a very good job and we were fortunate to have him for 16 years,” Shelton said. “He always ran his program with a lot of integrity. His leadership style was very instrumental in the success of his teams over the years.”
Current Hays assistant coach Emily Klaerner played on McDonald’s 2001 state tournament team.
“He meant so much to this school,” Klaerner said. “During his career he took teams to the state tournament at both the Class 4A and Class 5A level. I don’t know many coaches that can say they did that.”
Hays senior guard Ashley Rankine, who hit the game-winning shot to send the Lady Rebels to the state tournament in 2009, had nothing but praise for McDonald.
“Coach Mac was more than a coach to us,” Rankine said. “He was more like a dad to the team. We all knew we could count on him for anything. He taught me a lot about basketball and about life.”
Fellow senior Brooke Borreson said she will remember how McDonald could always lighten up the mood during a tense practice.
“He once told us we could mess up a rock fight,” Borreson said. “He used to tell us last year we were like that movie “50 First Dates” because we were always forgetting things. He was always making us laugh, but when it was time to be serious he was the glue that held our team together. He’ll really be missed. I feel honored to have played for him.”
McDonald said he’s not sure what he’ll do in retirement, but don’t be too surprised if you see him at a Lady Rebel game or two.
“You know anybody that needs someone to do part time work?,” McDonald joked. “It all went by so fast. I’m just going to ride off into the sunset. I’m looking forward to being able to support the Lady Rebels from the stands now without any pressure. I’ll still be there yelling.”
