When he showed up in March as Blinn College's offensive coordinator, Ryan Mahon only had to concern himself with the offensive side of the ball.
That's all changed since he was named the Buccaneer football team's interim head coach last week following coach Keith Thomas's retirement.
"It was overwhelming to be offered the interim head coaching job," Mahon said. "Becoming a head coach was my ultimate goal and it is something I have been working toward in my career."
This will be the first head coaching position for Mahon, who started coaching running backs and receivers at Feather River (Calif.) College in 2003.
"You have to look at the team differently as a head coach compared to being an offensive coordinator," Mahon said. "You have to look after every player on your roster."
Mahon arrived at Blinn in March as an offensive coordinator after occupying the same position at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College in 2015. Mahon also has experience coaching in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, as he spent 10 years at Tyler Junior College.
As a coach with an offensive background, Mahon will look for his fast-paced offense to get in as many plays as possible and wear down the opposing defense.
"We feel like we can dictate the tempo on offense and get the ball into the hands of our playmakers," Mahon said.
Blinn will have plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball and Mahon and the coaching staff will put those players in a position to be successful.
"I want to be a great example in the community and on campus and make sure our players get an education," Mahon said. "I really want to thank (athletic director) Scott Schumacher, Keith Thomas, (District President/CEO) Dr. Mary Hensley, (Vice President for Student Services) Dr. Dennis Crowson and the Board of Trustees for this opportunity."
Blinn will open the 2016 season on the road against Texas A&T on Aug. 27 in Santa Fe starting at 2 p.m.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 34 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
About Blinn College
With an enrollment of 19,370 students, Blinn ranks among the nation's leaders in transferring students to leading four-year universities and has received national recognition for affordable educational excellence. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.
