In 1975, he graduated attended from Frankford High School where he had led the Pioneers to two Philadelphia Public League and City Championships.

On November 6, 1979, the Rowdies sold his contract to the Philadelphia Fever of the Major Indoor Soccer League.

[8] The Sting experienced financial difficulties during the season and released MacWilliams and several others in June 1988 in a cost reduction move.

[10] In April 1990, the expansion Penn-Jersey Spirit of the American Professional Soccer League hired MacWilliams as head coach.

[11] In August 1994, MacWilliams became head coach of the Baltimore Spirit of the National Professional Soccer League.

[13] In August 2000, Temple University hired MacWilliams to coach the school's men's soccer team.