Hamilton High School football coach resigns

Hamilton High School football coach Nate Mahon uses a megaphone as he leads the team at practice Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Virgil M. Schwarm Stadium in Hamilton. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Hamilton High School football coach Nate Mahon uses a megaphone as he leads the team at practice Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Virgil M. Schwarm Stadium in Hamilton. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Hamilton football will have a new coach next season.

HHS director of athletics Missy Harvey confirmed Nate Mahon has stepped down.

“Nate Mahon made the decision to not return as our varsity football coach,” Harvey wrote in an email. “The district thanks Coach Mahon for his three years at the helm and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Mahon, 36, coached his alma mater for the past three seasons and went 13-17.

“I’ve had the privilege of mentoring young people in the city where I have grown up and within the same school district that has helped make me into the man I am today,” Mahon wrote in a statement to our news partner WCPO. “I consider myself extremely fortunate and lucky to have had the opportunity to be the head football coach of the Hamilton Big Blue.”

In his first season at Hamilton, the Big Blue went 5-6 and made the fifth playoff appearance in school history, losing to Fairfield in the first round.

Hamilton went 6-4 in 2020, posting the program’s first winning season since 2010, and went 2-7 last season. The Big Blue also took part in the expanded postseasons the past two seasons but are still looking for the first playoff win in school history.

“Hosting the very first home playoff game in our football program’s rich history in Virgil Schwarm Stadium was one of the finest moments of my life and career,” Mahon said. “I’m extremely proud of the work of our district leadership to bring the junior high programs together as well as enhance the youth football programs within our district.”

Prior to taking the Hamilton job, Mahon was 21-12 in three seasons at Northwest and 19-13 in three seasons at Little Miami.

He was an all-state pitcher and two-time football team captain as a player at Hamilton and played collegiately at Georgetown College (baseball and football) and Miami University (football).

“We will begin the search immediately to find a new head coach,” Harvey said. “We firmly believe this is a great place to be and are looking forward to starting the process. The Greater Miami Conference is a very strong, competitive conference and we are excited for what the future holds for the Big Blue. We have great athletes, facilities and a supportive community that will embrace the new coach for many years to come.”

Hamilton will graduate standout running back Kaleb Johnson — an Iowa signee — from last year’s team, but the Big Blue have at least two 2023 class members who are Division I prospects in Gabe Verdon and Breeon Ishmail.

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