CHARLESTON - Charleston Southern women's basketball head coach Tim Hays has announced the hiring of Rob McDonald as an assistant coach.

McDonald is the third addition to Coach Hays' staff at CSU.

"We are excited to add someone of Coach McDonald's experience to our staff," said Coach Hays. "Rob brings a tremendous amount of experience having been at multiple levels of college basketball as a well-respected assistant coach.  He brings great enthusiasm to the floor and will help us become the highly energetic, positive program that we are wanting to be. But more importantly he is a man of character, faith in Christ, family man and someone that will serve our players selflessly." 

McDonald joins the CSU staff after an accomplished coaching career spanning more than a decade at the NCAA Division II, NJCAA Division I, high school, and AAU levels, bringing extensive experience in player development, recruiting, and program operations.

Most recently, McDonald served as the lead assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State University, where he played a key role in the program's growth both on the court and in the classroom. He helped oversee team operations, coordinated recruiting efforts, managed player development, and assisted with practice planning and game preparation. McDonald also helped improve the Cardinals' offensive and defensive efficiency while contributing to a culture centered on accountability, academic success, and leadership.

During his time at Saginaw Valley State, McDonald recruited and signed nine student-athletes, helped develop multiple All-GLIAC performers, and contributed to 48 victories. The program produced four All-GLIAC selections during the 2024-25 season—the most in program history since 1992-93—and developed an NCAA Division II All-American, a GLIAC Player of the Year, multiple All-Region selections, and five 1,000-point scorers.

Prior to Saginaw Valley State, McDonald spent the 2021-22 season at Saint Leo University, where he helped the Lions post a program-record 12 conference wins while receiving votes in the NCAA Division II Top 25 poll. His work emphasized guard and wing development, offensive efficiency, scouting, and game preparation, while mentoring multiple All-Conference and All-Region student-athletes.

McDonald also coached at Lincoln University, where he served as lead assistant coach, and Eastern Florida State College, where he helped guide the Titans to a historic 23-win season and a national Top 25 ranking while developing multiple All-Conference performers and student-athletes who advanced to four-year institutions.

Before entering the collegiate ranks, McDonald enjoyed success coaching at the high school and AAU levels. As associate head coach at Cypress Creek High School, he helped lead the program to three Orange County Cluster Championships, multiple Top 16 tournament appearances, and coached numerous players who continued their careers at the collegiate level.

Throughout his coaching career, McDonald has established himself as a strong recruiter with experience across multiple regions of the country, including the Southeast, Midwest, and East Coast. He has coordinated official and unofficial visits, managed travel logistics, organized camps and fundraising events, and utilized advanced video analysis and technology to enhance player development and scouting.

"I am incredibly grateful to Head Coach Tim Hays and Athletic Director Jeff Barber for believing in me and providing me with the opportunity to join the Charleston Southern Women's Basketball family," said McDonald. "It is truly a blessing to be part of a university where faith and athletics go hand in hand. I look forward to serving our student-athletes, supporting our program's pursuit of excellence, and investing in the holistic development of every young woman entrusted to us. My family and I are excited to become part of the Charleston Southern community, and I'm eager to get to work as we strive to honor God in everything we do."

McDonald earned his bachelor's degree in studio art from St. Olaf College in 2008, where he was a four-year letterwinner in both basketball and football and was named the school's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

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