Recruiting Areas: Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, West Atlanta, Missouri
Doug McFadden just completed his 12th season on the Lafayette coaching staff. In March of 2020, McFadden took over as the program's defensive coordinator and in November was named the interim head coach following the departure of John Garrett.
McFadden's first season as the Leopards' defensive coordinator was an abbreviated one, but the defense made a significant impact, limiting opponents to 63.3 rushing yards per game en route to a 2-1 record. The defense was led by its defensive line play and All-Patriot League First-Team selection Malik Hamm and second-team honoree Damon Washington. Linebackers Major Jordan and Marco Olivas joined Washington and safety DaRon Gilbert on the All-Patriot League Second Team.
In 2019, McFadden saw Yasir Thomas '20 garner All-Patriot League First-Team honors while leading the secondary from his spot at safety, a year removed from Thomas' second-team selection in 2018. In 2019, Thomas led the Leopard defensive backs with 62 tackles and ranked third in the nation in fumble recoveries.
After the 2018 season, McFadden broadened his coaching experiences by participating in the NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy in Tampa, Fla. in February and the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Miami Dolphins in May.
2017 was a banner year for the Lafayette defense which allowed just 15.8 points per game in conference play (second best in the league) down from 37.3 the year prior (worst in the league). Takeaways told a similar story as Lafayette was ranked 27th in the nation in turnovers gained in 2017 and led the Patriot League, just a season removed from being last in the same category.
The play in the secondary was highlighted by Phillip Parham, one of five Lafayette defenders to garner All-Patriot League honors and one of two to earn Associated Press All-America Second-Team honors. In his senior campaign, Parham led the nation in interceptions per game (7 for 0.6 per game) and pass breakups per game (12 for 1.7 per game). Parham's cornerback counterpart, Eric Mitchell, also earned All-Patriot League honors.
McFadden spent 2013-16 as the special teams coordinator in addition to his duties coaching the secondary, but turned his focus solely to the secondary for the 2017 campaign.
In 2016, McFadden had to replace Matt Smalley ’16, a four-time All-Patriot League cornerback/return specialist who signed with the N.Y. Giants.
McFadden got an early start to the 2014 season, participating in a summer-long minority coaching internship with the Cleveland Browns.
When the collegiate season rolled around, the Lafayette secondary proved to be the strength of the defense, as Smalley and strong safety Jared Roberts ’16 collected All-Patriot League First-Team honors. Parham also emerged at cornerback, starting the final six games of his rookie season. McFadden, who took over as special teams coordinator in 2013, managed the kick (22.4) and punt (15.1) return units which led the Patriot League in 2014.
In 2013, the kick return unit was exceptional as Smalley and Ross Scheuerman ’15 combined to finish fourth in the nation, averaging 25 yards per kick return. Individually, Smalley was eighth in the nation, bringing back kicks an average of 29.6 yards and was third in the nation with two runbacks for touchdowns on his way to All-Patriot League First-Team honors as a return specialist. The team’s kicker, Ryan Gralish ’16, made 82 percent of his field goals and was an All-Patriot League Second-Team honoree.
Smalley was also a key element in the secondary, garnering First-Team honors at cornerback while Roberts secured second-team laurels. The secondary enjoyed a solid season despite losing two projected starters to injury.
In 2012, the Lafayette secondary was productive, intercepting 22 passes (second most in the nation). Darius Safford ’13, Kyni Scott ’13 and Roberts accrued All-Patriot League laurels.
In 2011, the secondary was one of the top units in the Patriot League led by three-time All-League selection Brandon Ellis ’12.
McFadden coached Ellis to First-Team honors in 2010 after earning Second-Team honors the year prior. That year, Ellis was one of just two sophomores in the conference to earn recognition on defense. Ellis was third on the team in tackles that season and was fourth in 2010.
Prior to coming to Lafayette, McFadden served as assistant head coach from 2005-09 at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, working as the secondary coach and special teams’ coordinator.
A native of Columbia, S.C., he arrived at the Tiger football program after serving as the special teams’ coordinator and secondary coach for two years at South Dakota State University. While at Langston University in 2002, McFadden was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He served in the same capacity at Hutchinson Community College in 2001 and was secondary coach for the Blue Dragons from 1999 to 2000.
A four-year letterwinner at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, the former cornerback was an NCAA Division II All-Star in 1999 and an All-MIAA selection in 1998. In 2000, he played professionally for the Wichita Warlords of the Indoor Football League.
McFadden earned his bachelor’s degree in Organization Management and Leadership from Friends University in 2001.
He is married to the former Susan Cochran and has three daughters, Olivia, Gabrielle and Payton.
