Craig McDonald was named head coach of the Robert Morris Men’s Lacrosse program on September 20, 2021. Now in his fifth season, McDonald has guided the Colonials to consistent success, including an impressive return to the NEC in 2025. That year, he led the team to the NEC regular-season title with a 6-1 record, a tournament championship, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
In their first year back in the NEC, McDonald saw a program-record 10 players earn All-Conference honors, including NEC Player of the Year Bo Columbus and NEC Offensive Player of the Year David Burr. The Colonials also tied the program's second-longest winning streak, ripping off six consecutive victories from March 15 to April 19. Additionally, RMU went a perfect 7-0 at home during the regular season, marking the most home wins in a single season at Joe Walton Stadium since 2009.
McDonald made an immediate impact in his debut season, leading RMU to the 2022 ASUN Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. The Colonials posted a 10-6 record, finishing second in the league (4-1) before defeating Air Force in the semifinals and clinching the title with a thrilling 18-17 overtime victory. The 2022 campaign marked just the fourth time in program history that RMU reached double-digit wins. Seven players earned ASUN All-Conference honors that season, including Midfielder of the Year Jake Boudreau.
In 2023, McDonald led RMU to an 8-8 overall record and a return to the ASUN Championship, highlighted by a first-round win over Jacksonville. Three Colonials were named to the ASUN All-Conference team, and James Christoforatos made history as the program's first-ever College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American. During the 2024 season, McDonald again steered RMU to the ASUN Championship, marking the program’s third consecutive appearance. Six Colonials earned All-Conference honors, including a league-high three players named to the All-Freshman Team.
Before joining RMU, McDonald spent seven seasons at UMass, serving as an assistant coach and later as associate head coach. As the Minutemen’s defensive coordinator, he also oversaw goaltenders, faceoffs, and recruiting. Under his leadership, UMass reached three Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship games, won the 2018 CAA title, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. His 2019 UMass defense ranked third nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 8.87 goals per game.
A 2008 graduate of the University at Albany, McDonald was a four-year letterwinner on defense for the Great Danes, helping them reach the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2007. He was a three-time All-America East selection, earning First Team honors in 2007 and 2008.
Under McDonald’s leadership, RMU has developed a strong pipeline to the professional ranks, with over a dozen Colonials moving on to play in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). A native of Geneva, N.Y., McDonald resides in the Pittsburgh area with his wife, Maggie, their two sons, Conor and Cian, and daughter, Scotland.
