Kansas head coach Lance Leipold announced on Sunday that Brian Borland, who has been the Jayhawks’ Defensive Coordinator for the last four years, is retiring from coaching.
Borland will be replaced 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 four seasons coordinating the defense at Kansas after six seasons at Buffalo alongside Leipold. During his time at Kansas, Borland coached 17 All-Big 12 selections, one Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and two NFL Draft picks.
Under his leadership, the Jayhawks qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2008 in 2022, reached back-to-back bowl games for only the second time in program history (2022-23), and returned to the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2009.
Borland worked with Leipold for 18 seasons, including at Wisconsin-Whitewater (2007-14), Buffalo (2015-20), and Kansas (2021-24). In 2013, he was named Division III Coordinator of the Year by Footballscoop.com after helping the Warhawks win the NCAA Division III national championship.
“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 search far for Borland’s replacement. McDonald, a coach with more than 20 years of experience, finished his first season at Kansas in 2024. That year, McDonald coached two cornerbacks, Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant, who both earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. Bryant became the first Kansas player to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors for three straight seasons.
The pair combined for nine interceptions in 2024, with Dotson tying for the Big 12 lead with five interceptions and leading the nation with two interceptions returned for a touchdown. Bryant ranked third in the Big 12 with four interceptions and tied a school record with three interceptions in Kansas’ 24-14 win over Houston on Oct. 19. Both finished in the top five for career interceptions in Kansas history.
“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 college coaching in February 2024 after three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons, including the 2022 season when the Eagles went to Super Bowl LVII. McDonald was then promoted to defensive backs coach for the 2023 season.
Before working with the Eagles, McDonald spent five seasons at Iowa State, where he worked as the pass game coordinator, coaching safeties in 2019-20 and cornerbacks from 2016-18. McDonald played a key role in Iowa State’s success, including four straight bowl game appearances.
He also previously coached cornerbacks at Toledo (2012-15), defensive backs at William & Mary (2011), and the secondary at Indiana PA (2006-10) and Edinboro (2003-05).
