Donald began coaching in the 1960s with the Gladstone AC, moving on to help found the Toronto Striders – and later, Track West. He also coached at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto, coaching many of the country’s top junior athletes. Donald was the national cross-country coach on many occasions, with the greatest success coming out of the 1978 team, which was comprised of some of his own athletes – Rob Earl, Jim Groves, and Tony Hatherly, who were three of the six juniors on Team Canada all coached by Donald. At those worlds, Canada tied for first place as a team, but were awarded the silver medal on the count back. Rob Earl also won the Silver Medal as an individual.

Donald’s administration skills were evident in his roles as Meet Director for the OTFA and Chair of the Technical Committee for many years. Donald was awarded Ontario’s Special Achievement Award for his work as a volunteer administrator.