You may not be familiar with football Coach Mike Macdonald. He doesn’t stand along the sidelines between the hedges on Saturdays or on the practice field the rest of the week. Macdonald is the linebackers and fullbacks coach at the local Cedar Shoals High School.

When not fulfilling his full-time coaching duties at Cedar Shoals, Macdonald is busy on campus at the University and organizing meetings for his extracurricular activities.

In addition to 6 a.m. workouts and three to four hours of practice every day, Macdonald is taking a full load of classes and plans to graduate with a degree in finance in May.

His involvement stretches throughout campus and the community. Macdonald is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and he was selected into the Leonard Leadership Scholars Program through the Terry College of Business. He served on the University Judiciary board for three years, but he had to step down this year because of his coaching commitment.

Macdonald, a 22-year-old Roswell native, realized his passion for the game of football while playing for four years at Centennial High School under head coach Xarvia Smith. When Smith was offered the head coaching job at Cedar Shoals two years ago, he sought out Macdonald to join his staff.

“I gave it a weekend to think about it. I knew it was a ton of work from what I experienced as a player,” Macdonald said. “I saw what those assistant coaches went through. But I couldn’t refuse the challenge and opportunity, and I called him the next day to accept the job.”

Last season Macdonald was the defensive coordinator for the ninth-grade team. After Smith named him Cedar Shoals Football “Coach of the Year,” he was promoted to coach the varsity linebackers and fullbacks this season.

“On the 9th grade team Mike had six shut-outs as defensive coordinator,” Smith said. “He would also come in on Sundays and help get the varsity special teams ready. During Friday night games he would make suggestions and adjustments that were very helpful. He’s one of the smartest guys on the staff.”

Though shutting down the other team’s offense seems rewarding, it’s watching the development of young kids that is the true gem for Macdonald.

“One of the most rewarding things about coaching these guys is to see their growth throughout the year as young men,” Macdonald said. “You get them when they’re kind of raw, but once they start to buy into the program and develop into good, young men, the feeling I get is unparalleled. The joy I get from these guys every day is a blessing.”

“Coach Macdonald is a good leader because he gives respect, so it’s easy to respect him,” said Cedar Shoals senior linebacker D’Andre Burnett.

Macdonald hopes his hard work and ability to relate to his players will allow him to coach at the next level.

“I would love to work for the University of Georgia as a graduate assistant,” Macdonald said. “I’m really looking for an opportunity to help out any way I can. I don’t know what God has in store for me, but this is my calling. I’m going to go for it.”

Smith knows Macdonald will find success coaching at any level.

“He’s super smart, and he’s a hard worker. Mike works just as hard as anyone on this staff,” Smith said.

While other students only dream of coaching football at the collegiate or professional level, Macdonald is slowly turning those dreams into reality. High salaries and self-glorification might lure some to pursue coaching, but Macdonald has more meaningful motives.

“If you make an impact on one guy and change his life, you know it’s all worth it.”