Alford will continue his work with the Irish running backs
Tim McDonnell enters his seventh season with the Irish football office this fall and fifth year as director of football personnel. In this capacity, McDonnell covers a variety of football-related matters, serving as a liaison between the team and NFL personnel, assisting with recruiting efforts, and helping to coordinate the walk-on program.
Prior to his promotion, McDonnell served as the coordinator of quality control under previous head coach Charlie Weis. In this role, McDonnell assisted the head football coach in all football-related matters, handled special projects for the coaching staff and assisted with personnel development and recruiting.
A 2005 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., and a three-year football letterman as a receiver. McDonnell was the inaugural recipient of the Daniel Allen Sportsmanship Award in 2005, presented to the Holy Cross varsity athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship that coach Daniel Allen exhibited throughout his life. He also received the 2004 Unsung Hero Award as the player who supported the team spiritually, emotionally and physically for the good of the team.
A native of Harrison, N.Y., McDonnell graduated from Iona Prep before starting his collegiate career at Holy Cross. Born April 15, 1983, he is the grandson of the late Wellington Mara, former president of the New York Giants who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
