W&M makes football staff moves

William and Mary coach Jimmye Laycock announced today that Scott Boone will be promoted to the position of defensive coordinator and the hiring of D.K. McDonald , Jr., as defensive backs coach for the upcoming 2011 season.

While the position is his first as a coordinator, Boone, who is entering his eighth year on the Tribe staff, has more than 25 years of coaching experience, including a seven-year stretch as a head coach at Randolph-Macon College (Va.).

“I am pleased we had such a strong internal candidate,” said Laycock on Boone’s promotion. “I think Scott will continue to develop our progress as a defensive unit and bring us outstanding leadership. I am confident he will help us continue to pursue championships.”

Boone, who will replace Bob Shoop in the coordinator role, will remain the squad’s linebackers coach, a position he has filled since the 2007 season. In that role, he has mentored two different players to all-conference honors (Dante Cook to second-team accolades in 2010 and Jake Trantin , who was a second-team selection in 2009). He will take over a defensive unit that has ranked among the league’s finest in the last three seasons and returns seven total players with starting experience.

McDonald joins the Tribe staff after serving as the secondary coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the past five seasons. During his tenure with the Crimson Hawks, McDonald worked under head coach Lou Tepper and mentored a pair of All-Americans and five all-conference performers. Highlighting those standouts was Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, a fourth-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys last spring. In addition to his coaching duties with the defense, McDonald also served as IUP’s recruiting coordinator.

“D.K. will be a fine addition to our staff,” Laycock said. “He has learned the game under some quality head coaches and brings a great work ethic to our program. I am confident he will be an excellent fit with our defensive coaching staff.”

Prior to his stint at IUP, McDonald coached and coordinated the defensive secondary at his alma mater, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, from 2003-06. During that time, he developed an All-American and four all-conference honorees.

A four-year starter as a defensive back at Edinboro, McDonald was a first-team all-conference selection. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in history in 2001.