Published Mar 26, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0326-br-knevel.br_.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n
From one CFLer to another, the Pauline Johnson Collegiate Thunderbirds football program seems poised to continue its excellence with its latest coaching change.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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Enter David Knevel, a Pauline Johnson Collegiate graduate and like Macdonald, a former CFL player.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time to kind of pass the torch, preparing for my inevitable move from the school,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBringing David on is great for our community and great for the kids. He\u2019s very passionate about the PJ program.<\/p>\n
\u201cA 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\u2019s going into his hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
With his CFL career completed, it didn\u2019t take much convincing from Macdonald for Knevel to take over at PJC.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was definitely interested right away,\u201d said Knevel, an offensive lineman who attended the University of Nebraska on scholarship.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knevel has done some volunteer and guest coaching in the past so he\u2019s not totally new to the job. He\u2019s been intrigued with the idea for a long time.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI always wanted to coach,\u201d said the 31-year-old. \u201cEven when I was back in my high school days, I thought about coaching as something I would do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knevel may not completely recognize the program he left more than 10 years ago.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest changes Macdonald made to the program was moving the team to the AABHN varsity league \u2013 which other than PJC includes teams in Haldimand and Norfolk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really an issue around safety,\u201d said Macdonald, noting that the school population was about 750 when the team moved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we amalgamated (our teams) and became a varsity program, we\u2019ve had between 40 to 50 players, which is the number a football team needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had some very good teams,\u201d he said. \u201cActually my team last year was probably the best team I\u2019ve ever coached and I can\u2019t believe I\u2019m saying this, but more so than the (2022) championship team we had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking over, Knevel has a plan for what he\u2019d like to see out of his players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think as a coach, the biggest thing I want to put forth and instill in my players is development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to give them a lot of confidence. I want them to enjoy playing the game. I want them to learn how to compete.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to allow them to have fun with football because that\u2019s what football is \u2013 it\u2019s fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
With his playing career over, Knevel has fond memories.<\/p>\n
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\u201cEverybody has a specific story for their football journey and athletic career,\u201d he said. \u201cI was extremely blessed to have seen and do what I was able to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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\u2019m very grateful for my whole career.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Macdonald, he\u2019ll look back fondly at his time with the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been one of the greatest accomplishments of my classroom teacher career,\u201d he said of coaching. \u201cThe most impactful thing is instilling values to young (people).\u201d<\/p>\n
With a spring jamboree on the calendar, Knevel can\u2019t wait to get going.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of things I\u2019m thinking about,\u201d he said. \u201cTo add this to my journey, I\u2019m really excited about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI met the kids about two weeks ago and we\u2019ve got a really nice group of kids. I\u2019m really excited to work with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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