LAWRENCE, Kan. (KUAthletics.com) – Kansas head coach Lance Leipold announced Sunday that Brian Borland, who has spent the last four years as the Jayhawks’ Defensive Coordinator, is retiring from coaching. He will be succeeded by DK McDonald, who joined Kansas in 2023 as the Co-Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks coach.
“I have been fortunate to work with Brian for more than 18 years, he is the ultimate professional, selfless coworker and I am grateful for his commitment and impact that he has made on so many throughout his career,” Leipold said. “Brian and I had discussions weeks prior to our last regular season game, and we are very appreciative of all that he has done for Kansas. We wish him, his wife, Gayle, and his entire family the best going forward.”
Borland spent the last four seasons coordinating the defense at Kansas after six seasons at Buffalo alongside Leipold. Since coming to Kansas, Borland coached 17 All-Big 12 selections, one Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and two NFL Draft picks. During his time at KU, the Jayhawks qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2008 (2022), reached back-to-back bowl games (2022-23) for just the second time in program history, and returned to the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2009.
In total, Borland spent 18 seasons alongside Leipold, who he worked for at Wisconsin-Whitewater (2007-14), Buffalo (2015-20) and Kansas (2021-24). Borland was named Division III Coordinator of the Year in 2013 by Footballscoop.com after helping lead the Warhawks to the NCAA Division III national championship, the team’s fifth in seven seasons.
“After 40 seasons and nearly 500 games coached, I am announcing my retirement from coaching, a decision I conveyed to Lance a few weeks ago,” Borland said. “I am extremely thankful for all the experiences granted over the course of my career. I’m a most fortunate man. I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Lance Leipold, who has demonstrated tremendous loyalty and trust in me over the years. I did my best to serve him, the student-athletes, fellow coaches, and this profession well in return. I absolutely loved my time at the University of Kansas. It’s a special place well positioned for big things in the near future. I’m now the football program’s biggest fan and supporter as the baton is carried to the finish line by capable hands.”
Leipold didn’t have to look far for his replacement in McDonald, a coaching veteran of more than 20 years who recently finished his first season at Kansas. In 2024, McDonald tutored two cornerbacks who were named to the All-Big 12 First Team in Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant. Bryant became the first Kansas football player to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors in three consecutive seasons.
The duo combined for nine interceptions in 2024, with Dotson tying for the Big 12 lead with five interceptions while tying for the national lead with two interceptions returned for a touchdown. Bryant ranked third in the Big 12 with four interceptions, and he tied the single-game school record with three interceptions in Kansas’ 24-14 victory over Houston on Oct. 19. Both players finished their careers ranked in the top five for career interceptions at Kansas.
“I’m excited to take this next step as the defensive coordinator at Kansas,” McDonald said. “I am grateful to have been able to work with Brian and the defensive staff over this past year, and I look forward to continuing to mentor and guide our student-athletes. I am very appreciative to Coach Leipold for this opportunity.”
McDonald returned to the collegiate game in February 2024 following three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons, including the 2022 campaign when the Eagles advanced to Super Bowl LVII, before he was promoted to defensive backs coach for the 2023 season.
Prior to joining Philadelphia’s staff, McDonald spent five seasons at Iowa State, where he served as the pass game coordinator working with the Cyclones’ safeties (2019-20) and cornerbacks (2016-18). He played an essential role in Iowa State’s improvement, which included qualifying for four-straight bowl games. McDonald also previously coached cornerbacks at Toledo (2012-15), defensive backs at William & Mary (2011), and secondary at Indiana PA (2006-10) and Edinboro (2003-05).
