Mike McMahon continues the Marauders long-standing tradition of outstanding defense which began when head coach Myron Schulz coordinated the U-Mary defense. After joining the University of Mary coaching staff in 2007 as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach, he was named the U-Mary defensive coordinator beginning with the 2008 season.
Under McMahon’s direction the past three years, the Marauders have produced 14 All-Northern Sun performers, including six in 2010, one all-region player and three conference players of the week. Additionally, defensive lineman EJ Reid signed a contract with the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League in 2010, the first Marauders student-athlete in any sport to sign with a major professional sports organization.
Academically, seven U-Mary defenders garnered conference all-academic honors, including four in 2010. Defensive lineman Joshua Johnson earned special recognition when he was named U-Mary’s Northern Sun Honor Student-Athlete Award and the Myles Brand All-Academic Award.
In McMahon’s first year with the Marauders in 2007, U-Mary’s pass defense and total defense led the Northern Sun. The Marauders allowed just 197.6 yards passing and ranked 20th in the nation in pass efficiency defense. U-Mary ranked 18th nationally in allowing only 292 total yards per game and 23rd in scoring defense (19.6 points per game). Working primarily with the cornerbacks, McMahon coached two All-Northern Sun players, as Devon Jones earned first-team honors and James Miles was an honorable mention selection.
Prior to joining the Marauders, McMahon had compiled an extensive college coaching resume that included eight years of collegiate experience, including two years as a graduate assistant coaching the defensive line at Utah State of the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference immediately before arriving at U-Mary.
After several knee injuries ended his playing career, McMahon began coaching while he was a student at Carroll College, working with future U-Mary defensive coordinator Jason Petrino. At Carroll, McMahon worked with safeties, linebackers and special teams units from 2000-02 before taking over as the defensive backs coach for two seasons. In his time at Carroll, McMahon coached several all-conference and All-America players. Carroll made five semifinal appearances and won three consecutive national championships during his tenure.
McMahon comes from a coaching family. One uncle, Tim, is a former assistant coach at Capital High School in Helena, MT. A second uncle, Dick McMahon, currently coaches at Capital. A third uncle, Tom McMahon, is currently the special teams coordinator with the St. Louis Rams.
Born April 29, 1982 in Bellevue, WA, McMahon graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English writing from Carroll in 2004. In addition to coaching, McMahon, who earned his master’s degree in English Literature and Writing from Utah State in May 2007, teaches English courses for U-Mary. He also serves as the chaplain for the football program. McMahon and his wife Katie were married in June of 2010 and live in Bismarck.
