Byron MacDonald has been the head coach of the Varsity Blues swimming program since 1978-79 and has no plans to let go anytime soon.
“I plan to coach past 2028,” said MacDonald, and with that build on one of the most prolific legacies in university sport – one that has already made him one of the most successful coaches in the country.
Arguably, one of Canada’s most decorated university coaches, MacDonald has coached over 200 swimmers to all-Canadian status and over 70 swimmers to international teams. He has guided his teams to 61 conference championships (35 men and 26 women) and 22 national championship titles (12 women and 10 men). He was inducted into th Canadian Swim Coaches Hall of Fame in 2023.
As an Olympic coach in 1992, he helped guide his swimmer to a bronze medal and most recently coached Blues standout Kylie Masse to an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games, a gold medal and world record time at the 2017 FINA world championships, four medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and two silver and one bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He has also served as the head coach Team Canada’s very successful FISU and Pan Pacific teams.
A former national team member himself, Byron was ranked top 10 in the world for five years in the 1970s and won several medals, including two golds at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and placed sixth at the 1972 Olympic Games in the 100m butterfly.
Byron is a two-time Gemini Award winner for his CBC swimming coverage at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He holds a B.Comm. and a Master’s in Recreation and is the proud father of three children.
U SPORTS Men's Swimming Coach of the Year: 2023-24, 2015-16, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2011-12, 2009-10, 1993-94, 1992-93, 1991-92, 1985-86, 1979-80, 1977-78*
U SPORTS Women's Swimming Coach of the Year**: 2022-23, 2021-22, 2018-19, 2015-16, 2004-05, 1996-97, 1986-87, 1985-86
OUA Men's Swimming Coach of the Year: 2013-14, 2012-13, 2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10, 2007-08, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2001-02, 2000-01, 1997-98, 1991-92, 1986-87, 1984-85, 1982-83
OUA Women's Swimming Coach of the Year**: 2023-24, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14, 2006-07, 2001-02, 1997-98, 1995-96, 1990-91
*While coaching at York University
**First year as women’s swim head coach: 1983-84
Updated August 2021
