A 6-4, 260-pound defensive end, McHale was named to the Kodak All-America Division I-AA team by the American Football Coaches Association in 1986. He was also an Associated Press Division I-AA first-team and All-Ivy first-team selection. He was runner-up for Ivy League Player of the Year honors, and set Cornell records for season and career quarterback sacks. He was chosen to play for the East in the East-West Shrine Game. McHale transferred to Cornell from the University of Maryland, where he was a starting defensive tackle and played n two bowl teams. In 1987, he signed a contract to play as a free agent with Tampa Bay, and was a starting offensive guard for the Buccaneers.
