Bismarck, ND - The University of Mary has named Mike McMahon the Marauders football defensive coordinator, announced Marauders head coach Myron Schulz. Entering his second year on the U-Mary coaching staff, McMahon joined the Marauders last summer as the defensive secondary coach and the special teams coordinator.

"Mike is a great young coaching mind," said Schulz. "This should be a smooth transition for us as Mike knows our system. It’s also nice that we are able to fill the defensive coordinator position from within our own staff."

McMahon replaces Jason Petrino, who resigned his post at U-Mary to accept the Director of Football Operations position at the University of Wyoming. Petrino, who led the Marauders defense for three seasons, was a graduate assistant for the NCAA Division I Cowboys before coming to U-Mary.

"We’re all going to miss Jason," said McMahon. "He’s a fantastic football coach and a great friend. Because he was so talented, he prepared all of us on defense to move forward now that he’s moved on.

"The University of Mary has a tradition of excellence on defense, and we’ll continue doing the things that have led to that success. We will run the same 3-4 scheme that has been a staple here at U-Mary, and the terminology will remain constant.

"I’m fortunate to have some great assistant coaches on defense. Chris Clements and Jeff Dockter are both capable of running this defense themselves. They’ve been here and know the system, so that should help make this transition a smooth one. We’ve also added Gary Cooper, a gifted young coach who will be coaching our inside linebackers. Coach Schulz is a great asset as well. It’s helpful to know that I can lean on his knowledge and experience."

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.

McMahon joined the Marauders staff after compiling an extensive college coaching resume. He has 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, where he worked with 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.

Born April 29, 1982 in Bellevue, WA, McMahon graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English writing from Carroll in 2004.

McMahon comes from a coaching family. One uncle, Tim, is a former high school coach at Capital High School in Helena, MT. A second uncle, Dick McMahon, is a current high school coach at Capital. A third uncle, Tom McMahon, currently is an assistant coach with the Atlanta Falcons.

McMahon, who earned his master’s degree in English Literature and Writing from Utah State in May 2007, also teaches English courses for U-Mary.

In addition to the Marauders defensive success in 2007 under Petrino, U-Mary allowed just 15.2 points, 90.7 rushing yards and 269.4 total yards/game in Petrino’s first two seasons directing the defense in 2005-06.

The University of Mary finished the 2007 season with a 7-4 record overall and a 7-2 mark and a second place finish in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Twelve Marauders earned All-NSIC honors, including four on the first team from U-Mary’s top-ranked defense. Ten players were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team. 2007 marked the first year the Marauders competed in the NSIC in football. It was also the first season U-Mary was an active member of the NCAA. The Marauders, 6-4 as a newcomer to NCAA Division II football in 2006, are 13-3 against Northern Sun teams in two seasons.

The Marauders open the 2008 season against Chadron State College, owners of a 24-game regular season win streak, on Thursday, August 28, at 6 p.m. The Eagles have finished the last two regular seasons 11-0 and were ranked fifth in the final NCAA Division II poll of 2007.