Tim McDonald begins his eighth year as Cabrini men's basketball head coach in 2022-23. After four years as an assistant coach on the Cabrini sideline, McDonald became the sixth head coach in the history of the Cabrini men’s basketball team, replacing Marcus Kahn who stepped down in April 2014.
McDonald claimed his first CSAC title in 2017-18, as he was named CSAC Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to a 25-4 record. An 89-76 championship victory over Neumann also clinched the program's second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Cabrini scored a tight 88-86 win over Staten Island on its home floor in the first round of the Tournament, before falling to Springfield 96-88 in teh second round.
The Cavaliers were led by senior Tyheim Monroe, who was named national Player of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) and DIII News following the season. Monroe closed his career as the program's all-time scoring and rebounding leader, while collecting 83 career double-doubles, including 77 in his final 83 games.
Under McDonald's leadership, the 2016-17 Cavaliers made their 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, before ending the season 19-8, including 15-3 in the CSAC. The Blue and White were led by junior Tyheim Monroe, who was earned four All-America accolades after leading the nation in rebounding for a second consecutive year. The junior forward also became the first player in program history and the fifth in CSAC history to grab 1,000 career rebounds.
McDonald led the Cavaliers to a 16-11 record in 2015-16, before suffering a tight loss in the semifinal round of the CSAC Tournament. The Blue and White was led by Monroe, who amassed 27 double-doubles in as many games, while also leading the nation in total rebounds and offensive rebounds.
In his first year as head coach, McDonald led the Cavaliers to their seventh consecutive appearance in the Colonial States Athletic Conference championship game. Despite an overtime loss, the Blue and White posted a 17-10 mark, including 13-5 in league play.
McDonald's club was led by senior Aaron Walton-Moss, who was named National Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) fof the second consecutive season. Walton-Moss, the three-time Colonial States Athletic Conference Player of the Year, ranked in the top 25 in nine NCAA statistical categories, including an astounding nine triple doubles and 9.58 defensive rebounds per game.
The senior led the nation with 8.8 assists, ranked fifth 11.7 rebounds and 24th with 20.6 points per game and was the only player in the country to rank in the top 25 in points, rebounds and assists.
McDonald took over a program with which he was very familiar. During his four years as an assistant coach, the Cavaliers reached unprecedented heights, including four consecutive Colonial States Athletic Conference championships, three trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and the College’s first appearance in an NCAA Championship game. During that period, the Blue and White amassed a record of 106-16, including 67-5 in the CSAC.
McDonald has also been instrumental in developing some of the best players in program history. During his four years, Cabrini has earned nine All-CSAC accolades, including two-time CSAC Players of the Year Cory Lemons and Aaron Walton-Moss among its six First Team honors. Lemons became the program’s first First Team All-American in 2012, after leading the club to the NCAA Championship game with 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.
Walton-Moss was named the 2014 Division III Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The junior‘s 24.8 points per game ranked fifth in the country, while his 10.9 rebounds were 16th and his 5.9 assists 13th. Walton-Moss was one of two players to record two triple doubles this season and came within three assists on five other occasions.
During McDonald’s time on the Cavaliers’ sideline, his responsibilities have included all aspects of recruiting, scouting opponents, in-season and off-season training and player development, budget management and ensuring that student-athletes adhere to Cabrini and NCAA policies.
McDonald joins a string of Cabrini assistant coaches who have been elevated to head coach and continued to maintain the program’s success. Men’s lacrosse head coach Steve Colfer, men’s soccer head coach Rob Dallas, women’s basketball head coach Kate Pearson and women’s soccer head coach Ken Prothero, also began their Cabrini careers as assistants.
Prior to coming to Cabrini, McDonald spent five years coaching at Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights, N.J., where he led the Gators to their second best record in program history and hosted the program’s first state tournament game in 2010.
The Barrington, N.J. native also has extensive experience working the regional camp and AAU circuit, including the Villanova University camps and Hoop Group events around the country.
McDonald graduated from Ursinus College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise & Sport Science before earning a teaching certificate in Health and Physical Education from Rowan University in 2010. McDonald also completed his master’s degree in Sports Management from Drexel University in 2013.
