At the end of the 2010–11 season and with Smith's departure, McDowall went from being first team coach to assistant manager under McCoist. After McCoist was placed on gardening leave on 21 December 2014, McDowall was given control of the first team until the end of the 2014–15 season.
At the conclusion of the 2010–11 campaign and with Smith's exit, McDowall moved from being head coach to assistant manager under McCoist. Following McCoist's suspension on December 21, 2014, McDowall oversaw the first team until the end of the 2014–15 season.