by Liz Matson
A perfect day for football. Cool and breezy with peeks of sun. The last game of the season against rival Nobles and Greenough. As always, Coach Kevin MacDonald, or“Coach Mac,” is the first to arrive at the Robert Saltonstall Gym — getting organized and filling water jugs. A man of habits and rituals, he calls himself “obsessive compulsive.”
“I always sleep the night before, but before games, I’m very nervous,” says Coach Mac, who was inducted into the Massachusetts Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame last spring. “The kids will tell you that I pace. I’m always pacing. I feel that if I’m not nervous, they’re not going to think it’s an important game.”
When the team takes the field, Coach Mac paces the sideline, carrying his clipboard, his face set in concentration. A win against Nobles would be the season’s highlight. And this win would be Coach Mac’s 200th career win as a football coach. A huge milestone in any coach’s career. The players are amped up, knowing what is riding on this game.
As an undergraduate at College of the Holy Cross, where he played hockey and football, Coach Mac knew he wanted to be a teacher and a coach. His first job was teaching English and history, and assistant coaching hockey and football at Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, Massachusetts.
“I was lucky to work for Joe Crowley, a legendary football coach,” says Kevin. “His theory is that football is not complicated; it’s a simple game. He ran only four plays, but the players always knew what they were doing. He was very consistent. We went from being one of the worst programs around to one of the best programs around.”
After two years, Coach Mac became head coach when Coach Crowley retired. He continued winning at Archie’s for 19 years before coming to Milton in 1996. He continued the upward trajectory of the Milton football program that his immediate predecessor, Joe Lang, had begun. He also excelled in the classroom, and he still enjoys teaching Expository Writing. It is telling of his coaching and teaching that former players and students make up the majority of his coaching staff.
The Mustangs are dominant in this Milton–Nobles game, up 21–0 in the first half. Coach Mac, pacing, bellows across the field: “Don’t relax! Do. Not. Relax!” His go-to phrases both encourage and direct the action: “Dish it out, don’t take it!” “Kick and stick!” and “Poison! Poison!” when he doesn’t want a player to touch the ball. He compliments players and notes sportsmanship as he sees it. In the last two minutes of the game when Milton is up 40–7, Coach Mac finally releases the tension in his face. The players can’t contain their excitement over the win. When Coach goes out to shake the Nobles coach’s hand, his players swarm him, shouting and whooping, and Coach Mac’s smile is big and wide.
“Winning is important,” says Kevin. “That is your chief goal. But you could be a great coach as far as wins and losses go, and not be a great high school coach. A high school coach needs to be a good role model. You should be teaching right from wrong. You should be helping to get students into college. That’s why high school coaching is so rewarding.”
When the season ends, Coach Mac is busier than ever. First up is working with seniors and helping them through the college process. Over the school year, roughly 100 college football coaches visit Milton on recruiting trips. Coach Mac handles this constant flow of visitors, maintaining an important network. He also keeps tabs on the juniors as they start their college plans. In the summer, he works at various college football camps where he can “advocate for our players.”
Since Coach Mac shines the spotlight on his players rather than himself, we asked some Milton football alumni for their thoughts on Coach Mac. The stories poured in.
Coach Mac, Year One
“I had high expectations and a lot invested in Coach Mac’s inaugural season at Milton. My teammates were equally invested. With the 100th Milton–Nobles game as the ’96 season headliner, nothing short of an undefeated season was acceptable to any player on the roster. Anticipation and curiosity took a hairpin turn toward concern during our first team meeting with Coach Mac when we learned that our balanced, offensive attack would be overhauled into a run-only offense, reminiscent of the Vince Lombardi days, when a pass was considered a trick play. Coach Mac didn’t give our concern an opportunity to fester. His actions made it clear that he had just as much riding on the ’96 season; our goals were aligned.
Coach Mac led with hard work, accountability, perseverance and pride, and the latter singularly defined our ’96 season. He dove in with his players, especially his seniors, taking an interest in all of their pursuits. He maximized his players’ ability with daily encouragement and unwavering support. Coach Mac naturally gravitated toward the tradition and rivalry at Milton Academy. He embraced and valued Herbert “Stokie” Stokinger, and made Stokie the focal point of the 100th Milton–Nobles game.
To say that Coach Mac’s first season at Milton was a success is an understatement. Not only did he lead the ’96 team to victory in the 100th Milton–Nobles game, he also made good on an undefeated season and added a New England Championship for good measure. With Coach Mac, the lessons we learned on the field were as valuable as the lessons we learned in the classroom. On behalf of the ’96 team, and all his players, congratulations on a hall of fame coaching career and teaching excellence.”
— Alexi Evriviades ’96
The Championship in ’14
“I was the starting quarterback for three years and a senior captain under Coach Mac. Playing for Milton and Coach Mac was an honor. Before every game he would talk about the word ‘pride.’ Before Milton, that word didn’t mean much to me, but when I left it meant a whole lot. He taught me how to take pride in my studies, athletics and my day-to-day life. He strived for his players to be ‘good guys’ on campus and to do the little things — hold doors open for people, or thank the staff in Forbes. He was one of the most approachable people on campus, always willing to lend a hand and lead me in the right direction if I struggled with a class or any aspect of School life.
My greatest memory was winning the New England Championship my senior year. Winning it with Coach Mac was so gratifying, because our team had grown with him over my three years. We were a below average football team during my sophomore year, and one of the best in New England my senior year.”
— Anthony Scurto ’14
This Milestone
“Coach Mac was a fantastic coach and role model for me when I played fullback and linebacker. I learned about being a team player and challenging myself both on the field and in the classroom. I have wonderful memories of Milton and many are related to playing for Coach Mac from 2001 to 2005. He is a great coach, a great mentor, and most importantly a great person. He has had a huge influence on many young men who have graduated from Milton, and the 200th win is a testament to his dedication and commitment to players, present and past. An amazing milestone and well deserved.”
— Ryan Fitzpatrick ’05
A Game of Emotion
“I played tailback for Coach Mac from 1996 to 1999 and went on to play for Brown University. I was lucky enough to be a part of Coach Mac’s first Milton Academy team that went 8–0 and won the New England Championship. Coach Mac made it clear from day one that our goal was to be the number one team in the ISL. He brought a winning attitude. By the time we opened the season, he had instilled so much confidence in us that we felt unbeatable. Coach Mac told us that ‘football was a game of emotion.’ He used our emotion to motivate and inspire us. He played the underdog card to get us fired up for a big game, to inspire us to be our best and compete fiercely for ourselves, our families, our School and for each other.
We all loved and respected Coach Mac’s hard-nosed philosophy. No frills, finesse or trick plays, just old-fashioned man-on-man football. He demanded that we be the most fit team, and that often showed up in the fourth quarter of games. Coach Mac gave us a platform to be ourselves and to succeed in doing so. Down 20–0 at the half against Thayer (for the New England Championship), there was no panic in the locker room. We had been coached to respond to adversity and to dig deep. We won that game 21–20.
I learned so much from Coach Mac about the value of hard work, preparation, and an emotional commitment to the task at hand. Running into guys I played with and reliving some of the special moments is fun. I am excited for Coach Mac’s 200th win and proud to have been a small part of his legacy.”
— Leo Evriviades ’99
The Fundamentals
“I was the running back in 2003 and 2004 when we went a combined 13–2–1. Coach Mac was not about trick plays or snazzy, spread offenses. He believed in fundamentals, doing your job, and simply being stronger, faster, and better prepared than the opposition.”
— Timothy Daniels ’04
The Joy of the Game
“Coach Mac’s competitiveness and focus are matched by his integrity and desire to see his players succeed. He loves seeing his players get where they want to go, in football and in life. Mac always has a plan and a reason for what he is doing — a seemingly crazy drill or pre-game pep talk. It usually sets you up to succeed and to learn, which are often the same thing.
Coach Mac also has a ton of fun, and he instills the joy of the game in his players. He enjoys victories for the same reason players do. He gets pumped up, hates to lose, and can’t wait to get back to work for the next week.
Coach Mac doesn’t get caught up in the hype or the moment, and he embodies what he preaches: living up to your own best standards, keeping your word, never giving up, and working not just for yourself but also for those around you.
I feel honored to have spent time with him on the football field and to have had his guidance; and I would not be the person I am today had it not been for Coach Mac. He has a generous spirit and understands what truly brings satisfaction in life. It’s really great to recognize him for reaching this milestone. He deserves every accolade. He’s a legend.”
— Tom Pilla ’02