Wrestling
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- mdmcdona@ncsu.edu
- Alma Mater:
- NC State '19
Malik McDonald joined the NC State wrestling staff in June of 2025, the Wolfpack alumnus brings several years of experience as a DI assistant coach.
The Hope Mills, N.C. native wrestled for Popolizio from 2014-2019, qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the 2017 and 2019 seasons at 197 lbs. During the 2018 season he competed at the U23 World Team Trials, garnering All-American honors with a fourth place finish at 97kg. In 2019 he won the ACC title for his weight class, helping the squad earn the 2019 ACC team trophy. After graduating from NC State with a degree in Social Work, McDonald has continued to pursue his passion for wrestling.
McDonald first worked as a volunteer coach for Clarion for the 2019-20 season, followed by taking the head assistant role at Long Island for the 2020-21 season. The Pack alumnus rejoins his alma mater after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at Kent State from 2021-25 where he also gained his Master of Arts in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
While wrestling for Popolizio he finished his career with 83 wins and two 20-win seasons. In high school at South View High School in Hope Mills, he finished in the top three of the state tournament twice and collected a state 4A title his senior season.
