Coach Mac Officially a Hall of Famer

Retired Effingham High School Football Coach Mike McDonald is now officially a Hall of Famer.

Coach Mac was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame during a ceremony Saturday in Champaign. Fighting Illini football coach Lovie Smith was the guest speaker at the induction ceremony, held at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Coach Mac served as the Hearts' varsity coach for 23 seasons following 12 seasons as an assistant. His teams won 125 games and qualified for the playoffs 13 times including one stretch of 10 playoff teams in 11 seasons.

After a short retirement, though, McDonald returned as Hearts' freshman coach.

McDonald's wife, Gena, and their four children, Andy, Jenny, Megan and Nate, were all present for the induction ceremony and for a reception in Effingham following the ceremony.