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Published Mar 26, 2026 • 3 minute read
Former CFLer and Pauline Johnson Collegiate graduate David Knevel will be taking over the football head coaching job at the school for current coach John Macdonald, who is transitioning to a vice-principal role within the school board. Photo by Instagram – David Knevel /jpg, BR, apsmcArticle content
From one CFLer to another, the Pauline Johnson Collegiate Thunderbirds football program seems poised to continue its excellence with its latest coaching change.
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After current coach John Macdonald put his name into the vice-principal pool for the Grand Erie District School Board, the time commitment needed for that new opportunity dictated that the Thunderbirds would need a new coach.
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Enter David Knevel, a Pauline Johnson Collegiate graduate and like Macdonald, a former CFL player.
“It’s time to kind of pass the torch, preparing for my inevitable move from the school,” said Macdonald, who has coached at PJC for about 15 years and held the head coaching position for the last seven years after taking over from longtime former coach Ken Chisholm.
“Bringing David on is great for our community and great for the kids. He’s very passionate about the PJ program.
“A former CFL player handing it off to a player he coached and who also played in the CFL is like a storybook ending for me. It makes it a lot easier knowing it’s going into his hands.”
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Like Macdonald, who played defensive line for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2002-04, Knevel played in the CFL for the B.C. Lions, from 2018-24, and Ottawa Redblacks, in 2025.
With his CFL career completed, it didn’t take much convincing from Macdonald for Knevel to take over at PJC.
“I was definitely interested right away,” said Knevel, an offensive lineman who attended the University of Nebraska on scholarship.
“I think he called me early in the new year and I was going to reach out to him anyway regarding just helping out. I was surprised about the head coaching position but was interested in coaching in some capacity this year.”
Knevel has done some volunteer and guest coaching in the past so he’s not totally new to the job. He’s been intrigued with the idea for a long time.
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“I always wanted to coach,” said the 31-year-old. “Even when I was back in my high school days, I thought about coaching as something I would do.”
Knevel may not completely recognize the program he left more than 10 years ago.
One of the biggest changes Macdonald made to the program was moving the team to the AABHN varsity league – which other than PJC includes teams in Haldimand and Norfolk.
“It was really an issue around safety,” said Macdonald, noting that the school population was about 750 when the team moved.
“I don’t think fielding teams of 25 (juniors) and 25 (seniors) is appropriate in any division. Having a team of 25 to 30 players facing a team with 45 to 50 is inequitable.
“When we amalgamated (our teams) and became a varsity program, we’ve had between 40 to 50 players, which is the number a football team needs.”
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To say Macdonald is happy with the move would be an understatement. The fact the team has done well is a bonus.
“We’ve had some very good teams,” he said. “Actually my team last year was probably the best team I’ve ever coached and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but more so than the (2022) championship team we had.”
Taking over, Knevel has a plan for what he’d like to see out of his players.
“I think as a coach, the biggest thing I want to put forth and instill in my players is development,” he said.
“I want to give them a lot of confidence. I want them to enjoy playing the game. I want them to learn how to compete.
“I want to allow them to have fun with football because that’s what football is – it’s fun.”
With his playing career over, Knevel has fond memories.
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“Everybody has a specific story for their football journey and athletic career,” he said. “I was extremely blessed to have seen and do what I was able to do.
“I was able to be a part of a lot of really good teams, competitive teams, and played with a lot of great players and coaches. I’m very grateful for my whole career.”
As for Macdonald, he’ll look back fondly at his time with the team.
“It’s been one of the greatest accomplishments of my classroom teacher career,” he said of coaching. “The most impactful thing is instilling values to young (people).”
With a spring jamboree on the calendar, Knevel can’t wait to get going.
“I have a lot of things I’m thinking about,” he said. “To add this to my journey, I’m really excited about it.
“I met the kids about two weeks ago and we’ve got a really nice group of kids. I’m really excited to work with them.”
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