Josh McDonald enters his seventh season as an assistant coach with the Georgia Southern baseball program in 2018. He works primarily with the catchers and hitters, coaches first base and helps coordinate the Eagle Baseball camps.
McDonald came to Georgia Southern from Louisiana State University Eunice where he served as hitting instructor, worked with the catchers and held third base coaching responsibilities. In three seasons, the LSUE Bengals went 148-40 and captured a National Championship and a third place finish in the NJCAA Division II National Championship. In his three seasons, he coached numerous players who continued there playing careers at four year universities and several players who have been drafted by Major League Baseball clubs.
In 2011, LSUE finished the season with a 45-15 record and fell one win short of returning to the World Series. The Bengal squad finished the season batting .325 as a team.
In the 2010 season, the Bengals finished with a 52-13 record and the NJCAA Division II National Championship. The Bengal team rounded up the season with a .359 batting average along with several individual records.
In 2009, the Bengal team finished the season with a 51-12 record and a 3rd place finish at the NJCAA Division II World Series. The Bengal hitters batted .368 as a team and set numerous team records for the 2009 season.
Prior to coming to LSUE, McDonald served as an assistant coach at Georgia College and State University, a member of the Division II Peach Belt Conference. During his two seasons, McDonald served as first base coach and worked with outfielders and hitters. He was also involved in the recruiting efforts for the Bobcats. The team was 79-40 over his two seasons, including a Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Regular-Season title in 2007.
In the summer of 2008, McDonald served as an assistant coach for the New Market Rebels of the Valley League. He worked with hitters and infielders and also served as third base coach.
McDonald has also been involved with several camps in the Southeast including Vanderbilt, DeMarini Top 96, Clemson and Auburn.
McDonald, originally from Fitzgerald, GA, completed his playing career at Georgia Southwestern State University where he earned a degree in Health and Physical Education. He was a four year letterman for the Hurricanes, playing first base and was a three time All-Academic selection. He also helped lead the Hurricanes to two regional appearances in 2005 and 2006.
McDonald completed his graduate work at Georgia College and State University where he earned a Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education.
McDonald is married to the former Christi Jenkins of Marietta, Ga. The two married in August of 2013 and have a daughter, Lanier, born in December 2016.
