NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Head coach Matt McDonald '89 announced his retirement after 32 seasons leading the St. Olaf College baseball program on Tuesday morning.
 
Over 32 seasons at the helm of the program he played for, McDonald recorded a 694-475 (.594) overall record, 360-229 (.611) conference record, making him the second-winningest baseball coach in the history of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). In addition to his time as head baseball coach, McDonald served as St. Olaf's athletic director for 12 years, taught classes in exercise science for 32 years, was an assistant football coach for 10 years, and was the head men's golf coach for one year.

"Coach McDonald has made a lasting impact on Ole Athletics through his many years of dedicated service to St. Olaf and our baseball program," said St. Olaf Athletic Director Kelly Mahlum. "Throughout his tenure, Matt has worn multiple hats within the athletics department. His willingness to serve in many capacities over the years reflects his work ethic and care for St. Olaf. We are grateful for the commitment and mentorship he has show to generations of student-athletes throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the very best in retirement." 
 
During his 32 seasons, McDonald led St. Olaf to 22 20-win seasons, five 30-win seasons, five NCAA Tournament appearances (2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009), five MIAC regular-season championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2024), and three MIAC Playoff titles (2003, 2006, 2009). His 2000 squad won a program-record 36 games and advanced to the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional final.

"It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to lead the St. Olaf baseball program for the past 32 years," McDonald said. "The relationships built, the memories created, and the opportunity to work with so many outstanding young men and their families are highlights I will always cherish. I feel incredibly grateful to have spent my career doing something I love at a place that means so much to me."
 
McDonald's teams finished in the top three in the MIAC standings 14 consecutive seasons from 1996-2009 and played for the MIAC Playoff title nine times. He coached seven student-athletes who earned All-America accolades, six MIAC Players of the Year, four MIAC Pitchers of the Year, and 10 players who went on to play professionally. McDonald was named the MIAC Coach of the Year four times (1998, 2000, 2007, 2024), was the 2024 D3baseball.com Region 9 Coach of the Year, and was the 2000 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Midwest Region Coach of the Year.
 
A native of Beaver Dam, Wis., McDonald played high school baseball and football for his father, Wisconsin High School Hall of Fame coach Charlie McDonald. At St. Olaf, McDonald played baseball under Hall of Fame head coach Jim Dimick and also played three years of football at St. Olaf as a quarterback under Hall of Fame head coach Tom Porter. He was a member of the 1988 and 1989 MIAC championship baseball teams while earning All-MIAC and all-region honors in each of those seasons. In 1988, he led the MIAC with a .537 batting average in conference play.
 
McDonald and his wife, Barb, have two children who were student-athletes at St. Olaf. Their daughter, Katie (McDonald) Schoessow '12, was a volleyball team captain and played on the 2010 MIAC championship team, while their son, Tommy '20, was an all-region infielder in his one full season playing for his father after transferring to St. Olaf.
 
McDonald served on the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Committee from 1999-2003, including chairing the committee from 2000-03. He also was on the ABCA Division III All-America Committee from 1995-98 and chaired that committee in 1998. In addition, McDonald served on the ABCA Division III National Ranking Committee. For 26 years, McDonald directed the annual St. Olaf Midwinter Baseball Clinic, attracting approximately 200 local coaches. He presented annually throughout the region at various coaching clinics on all aspects of baseball. More recently, McDonald has traveled internationally with the International Sports Group to help grow the game of baseball in Europe.
 
A search for St. Olaf's next head baseball coach will begin immediately.