McDonough was raised in Powell's Crossroads in Marion County, Tennessee, and graduated from Whitwell High School.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994 from Sewanee: The University of the South where he was named a Harry S Truman scholar.

During his service at that firm he litigated a wide variety of civil and criminal matters in Federal and State courts.

From 2013 to 2015 he served as chief of staff and counselor to the Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.

[3] On December 16, 2014, his nomination was returned to the President due to the sine die adjournment of the 113th Congress.