Nike Baseball Camp Embry Riddle University

Culminated by their second ever appearance as a program at NAIA nationals, 2019 was a record breaking year for ACU under Coach Mac. The Firestorm broke nearly every offensive season program record including wins (39), games played (60), team batting average (.323), hits (649), doubles (111), runs scored (445), RBI (385), and stolen bases (121).

Prior to ACU, McDonald was the only head coach at Boulder Creek HS in Anthem after he started the team in 2005 (began playing varsity in 2006). Under his guidance, the Jaguars reached the Arizona state playoffs eight times which includes finishing in the top five three times.

In 2010, Boulder Creek set the state of Arizona record with 485 team hits in a season. After BCHS won the regional championship and ended with a 33-6 record in 2011, Coach McDonald was awarded the AIA State, City of Phoenix, and Northwest Regional Coach of the Year honors. One year later, the BCHS diamond was named the ABCA National Field of the Year.

On the strength of his 249 wins at BCHS, Coach McDonald saw 45 players sign to play college baseball including Coby Boulware- a 2018 Freshman All-American at TCU. Two of McDonald’s players have signed professional contracts- Alex Real with the Minnesota Twins and West Tunnell with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Success on the field was started by success in the classroom as the Jaguars posted a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in the 12 years under McDonald.

Along with coaching, Coach McDonald was the Physical Education Department Chair at Boulder Creek High School. In addition, he was named the Assistant Athletic Director of the Deer Valley Unified School District where one of his many accomplishments was starting the Victory with Honor program.

Prior to moving to Arizona, Coach McDonald served as the Head Assistant Baseball Coach at Western Oregon University from 1998-2000. He also coached a summer each in the Arizona Junior College Summer League and Northwest Collegiate Baseball League.

As a player, McDonald played two seasons at Western Oregon University and one season at Linfield College. The outfielder was an All-State selection and two time All-Intermountain Conference selection at Bend High School.

Academically, McDonald earned a physical education degree with a minor in health from Western Oregon University in 1998. Four years later, he added a master’s degree in education from Western Oregon University.

Coach McDonald and his wife, Pam, have three daughters- Jaysa, Paislee, and Liliana- and two sons- Montgomery and Kayden- that range in age from 19 to 10. The McDonalds attend Christ’s Church of the Valley. They are volunteers with the Christian Family Care Adoption Agency.

Coach Milner has an impressive resume that includes extensive collegiate coaching experience, but most importantly he has a history of changing lives through his ministry.

Most recently, Milner served five seasons as assistant head coach for the Arizona Christian University Firestorm. His baseball responsibilities at ACU included serving as bench coach, recruiting, and working with catchers. Off the field, Milner was charged with the spiritual development and mental well-being of the Firestorm coaches and players. He will take the helm of an up-and-coming Hawks team that features many talented young pitchers and position players.

Milner has also worked full-time with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) over the past three years in the Phoenix area. He will continue this ministry, transitioning to part-time with the organization in San Diego to serve high schools around SDCC. Milner believes in using his calling as a coach to be a positive influence on athletes. He loves handing out Bibles, starting coaches' Bible studies, and ultimately seeing lives transformed by Christ.

Milner received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in English from Wayland Baptist University and has been working on a Master's in Kinesiology at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Prior to WBU, he attended Glendale Community College.

Coach Milner and his wife Melissa are approaching their 18th anniversary. They have 2 children, a daughter, Ryann, 15, and a son Travis, 13. Ryann is a basketball player who loves getting things done and hanging out at sporting events. Travis, who is a great friend to many a ballplayer, loves anything to do with being outdoors. In addition to coaching, Milner loves to have game nights and hang out with friends. He likes to camp with his family and explore the outdoors whenever he has free time. Don't be surprised if you also find Coach Milner on the disc golf course.