BUCS COACH KEITH THOMAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Coach Keith Thomas
Coach Keith Thomas

Blinn College football coach Keith Thomas has announced his retirement after almost 40 seasons in high school and college football, including the last two with the Buccaneers.

“I would like to thank Blinn College for the opportunity to be part of the Buccaneer family for the past four years,” Thomas said. “I could not have asked for a better place to begin my retirement. I am excited for this next chapter in my life and the time I will get to spend with my family. I would like to thank the Board of Trustees, District President/CEO Dr. Mary Hensley, athletic director Scott Schumacher, Vice President of Student Services Dr. Dennis Crowson and the entire Brenham community for all their support.”

Blinn has named assistant coach Ryan Mahon the interim head coach.

Coach Ryan Mahon
Coach Ryan Mahon

Thomas coached Blinn to a 5-4 record last season and a 4-4 mark in 2014. He played tight end on Barry Switzer's 1974 and '75 national championship teams at the University of Oklahoma, and served as the Sooners' running backs coach under John Blake from 1997-99. Thomas was head coach at Navarro College from 1994-97 and served 13 seasons as a Texas high school football coach before coming to Blinn as a judicial officer in 2012.

“Keith has done an exceptional job helping our student athletes reach their potential on the field and in the classroom,” Schumacher said. “I have enjoyed working with Keith and cannot begin to express how much everyone at Blinn appreciates the impact he has made in the lives of our students.”

Mahon was originally hired as an assistant coach this spring after spending last season as Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College’s offensive coordinator, where he guided a unit that averaged 35.7 points and 451.6 yards per game.

Prior to that, he spent 10 seasons at Tyler Junior College, including eight as the Apaches’ offensive coordinator. In 2014, Mahon coached a Tyler offense that averaged 57.7 points and 544.4 yards per game, both good for second among NJCAA programs.

Blinn football is among the most storied programs in the nation, with four national championships, including the first back-to-back national titles in NJCAA history in 1995 and 1996. The Buccaneers have appeared in 12 bowl games and compiled a 294-213-11 record since 1964.

Nine former players, three coaches, three College administrators and the 1972 Buccaneer team have been inducted into the NJCAA Football Hall of Fame. Additionally, 47 former Buccaneers have played in the NFL and 90 have been named NJCAA All-Americans.

(Story courtesy: Jake Gordon, Blinn Information)

 

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