Shawn McKinnon

WEIRTON — The Madonna Blue Dons have another new head football coach.

This week, the Madonna athletic department announced the hire of Shawn McKinnon to lead the program, which is attempting to make a comeback after not fielding a team last season.

McKinnon is the second coach the Blue Dons have hired to bring the program back. In January, the Blue Dons announced the hire of former Weir High player and assistant coach Quinton Smith to bring back the program, but he announced he was stepping down from the role a month later.

The search to replace him lasted about a month before the hire of McKinnon’s was announced by the school.

McKinnon, a native of East Liverpool, is a graduate of Lisbon High School. He played football for Lisbon and in college at Erie Community College. He also spent five years a football referee and has had stops as an assistant coach at East Liverpool and Wellsville.

“Coach McKinnon brings a wealth of experience and passion for the game to the Blue Don program,” a statement from the school said.

McKinnon got right to work, holding an open house and a player/parent meeting in his first two days on the job.

Madonna made the playoffs in 2024, the last time it fielded a team, finishing 7-4 under then head coach John McCune.