Catching up with: Paul McDonald

Barry Faulkner

Though it has been more than 14 years since Paul McDonald buckled a

chin strap, the former USC All-American and eight-year NFL quarterback

still experiences football in visceral terms.

Just about every fall Saturday, the Newport Beach resident greets

kickoff with an accelerated awareness and anticipation. And though he has

traded his helmet for a headset, the USC radio color analyst still

funnels those pregame sensations into competition.

Now, however, he is competing with himself, delivering verbal pictures

instead of spirals, scrambling for the appropriate insight, huddling over

his prepared notes, intent on calling a perfect game.

“The fun thing about broadcasting for me, is the game, just like it

was when I was playing,” said McDonald, who views broadcasting as a way

to remain connected with the sport. “It’s a second job that involves

about 20-25 hours per week and probably around 15 or so of that is

preparation. But the best part is the excitement of the game; the crowd

coming in, the last minute details, talking with the coaches. Whether USC

is playing UCLA or Notre Dame or whomever, it’s the same adrenaline rush

I got before lining up behind center. That’s what makes it fun.”

McDonald, a vice president for a large commercial real estate firm

based in Santa Ana, said he never planned on watching games from anywhere

but the stands.

“I didn’t go to school thinking I’d ever get into the broadcasting

business,” he said. “But, when there was an opening for a color analyst

for USC games on Prime Ticket (television) in 1991, I thought ‘What the

heck, why not try it?.’

“I called (then-USC athletic director) Mike McGee to express an

interest, was introduced to the head of Prime Ticket, and got the job.”

McDonald, who guided the Trojans to a national championship in 1978

and was named All-American after the ’79 season, did Trojan games on

television for four seasons.

He then shifted to studio work as a co-host of “Pac 10 Preview,” which

aired for four years.

When that window closed, timing clicked for him once more, as the

Trojans’ radio analyst job opened yet again. “I called (current AD) Mike

Garrett and wound up getting the job. I guess you could say broadcasting

opportunities have kind of fallen in my lap. I’ve been very fortunate.”

McDonald, who played professionally with the Cleveland Browns and

Dallas Cowboys, has made the most of his opportunity. On Feb. 4, he won

the Southern California Sports Broadcasters’ annual award as the

Southland’s top radio analyst.

“It was a surprise to win,” McDonald said of the honor. “Sometimes,

when you’re up in the booth, you wonder if anybody is listening. I’ve

worked hard to improve every year and it’s nice to be recognized.”

McDonald is also frequently recognized in the stands watching Newport

Harbor High football games. His oldest son, Michael, who started at

safety as a junior last fall, is expected to be the Sailors’ starting

quarterback next season.

McDonald said the biggest negative of his broadcasting job is having

to fly to road games Friday morning, which forces him to miss his son’s

Friday night Harbor games.

“But whenever I do miss, we watch the tape together when I get back,”

he said.

McDonald, who turns 44 later this month, said he and and wife Allyson

are also kept thoroughly busy by their other three children, Stephanie

(13), Andrew (11) and Matthew (3).