Tim McDonald Timothy McDonald ( born January 6 , 1965 ) is a former American college and professional football player who was a strong safety in the National Football League ( NFL ) for thirteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s . McDonald played college football for the University of Southern California ( USC ) , and was honored as an All - American . A second - round pick in the 1987 NFL Draft , he played professionally for the Phoenix Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers of the NFL . He is currently the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets . Early years . McDonald was born in Fresno , California . He played high school football at Edison High School in Fresno . Named prep All - American , All - California , All - Northern California , all - metro and league MVP at both safety and QB at Edison High School . . . Completed 56 . 9 percent of his passes for 2 , 739 yards and 30 TDs . . . Rushed for 400 yards and six TDs . . . Credited with five INTs and 123 tackles on defense . College career . He attended the University of Southern California ( USC ) , and majored in business administration at what is now the Marshall School of Business . As a three year starter , he accumulated 325 tackles and 11 interception s . He was a consensus All - America n as a senior in 1986 , and followed a prominent list of All - American safeties who attended USC , such as Dennis Thurman , Ronnie Lott , Dennis Smith , Joey Browner , Charles Phillips , Artimus Parker , Mike Battle , and Mark Carrier . McDonald is one of only six safeties named on the Walter Camp All - Century Team selected in 1999 , celebrating the greatest college football players of the twentieth century . He was also a finalist as a senior for the Jim Thorpe Award and the Defensive Player of the Game in the 1987 East - West Shrine Game . Professional career . He was drafted by the St . Louis Cardinals in the second round ( 34th pick overall ) of the 1987 NFL Draft . In his six seasons with the Cardinals Tim McDonald started 5 seasons . In those 5 seasons he accounted for 605 tackles , 2 . 5 sacks , 20 int , 6 forced fumbles , 7 fumble recoveries , and a defensive touchdown . His best statistical season , and perhaps his finest season ever as a Pro was in 1989 when he recorded a Team leading 155 tackles , 7 interceptions for 170 INT return yards , 1 fumble recovery and an INT returned for a TD . He was named to 3 Pro Bowls and named All - Pro twice while with the Cardinals . He signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers on April 7 , 1993 . In 1993 McDonald would again perform at a high level being named to the NFC pro Bowl squad . During that season , he donated $ 2 , 000 for every 49ers victory to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Bay Area , netting $ 22 , 000 for those organizations . In 1994 McDonald helped the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIX . That Season , McDonald recorded 76 tackles , 2 Int , 7 passes defensed , 1 Forced Fumble , 1 Fumble recovery , and 2 Defensive Touchdowns while being part of a San Francisco secondary that sent 3 players to the pro bowl , SS Tim Mcdonald , FS Merton Hanks , and NFL Defensive Player of the Year CB Deion Sanders . That season while teaming with Free safety Merton hanks , they would arguably as a tandem , become one of the best safety tandems in NFL history as they combined for 7 pro bowls and 5 All - Pro selections from 1994 - 1998 in 5 seasons respectively . McDonald continued his stellar play throughout his entire 49ers career until he retired after the 1999 season Being named to 3 pro bowls and named and 2nd team All - Pro twice . McDonald ' s Finest statistical season as a 49er was in 1998 as he tallied 133 total tackles , 4 sacks , 4 INT , 15 Passes defensed , and 2 Fumble recoveries . McDonald was voted to the Pro Bowl six times in his career , three times with each team . Tim McDonald was known for being a great All - Around safety and one of the better tacklers and hitters at Strong safety during his playing career . Coaching career . McDonald coached youth football leading the Malloch Elementary football team to two undefeated seasons from 2001 - 2003 . McDonald coached for his alma mater Edison High School in Fresno , where he coached his sons , Timothy McDonald , Jr . and Tevin McDonald . McDonald left Edison High in the 2010 football season , but came back for 2011 and putting Edison back at the top . McDonald left Edison High in 2012 and was signed as a secondary coach for Fresno State . After one season at Fresno State Mcdonald was signed as a DB coach for the New York Jets . Personal life . McDonald and wife Alycia have two sons , Timothy , Jr . ( TJ ) and Tevin , and one daughter Taryn . TJ played safety at his father ' s alma mater , USC , and was drafted by the St . Louis Rams in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft . Tevin played 2 seasons with crosstown rival , UCLA . Tevin was recently dismissed from UCLA , Jim Mora citing his release as a violation of team rules . He transferred to Eastern Washington University .