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There are many new things that have changed here at Allen Community College this year. One of these things is the new assistant men’s basketball coach, Ryan Mahoney, who is better known as Coach Mahoney to everyone around campus. Most think that to be a college basketball coach one would have had to had played at that level. Well, Coach Mahoney is a prime example of that not being true.
“Prior to coming to Allen, I was the assistant coach at Northern Oklahoma College Enid, a junior college in Enid, Oklahoma,” he said. “I was the assistant there from 2010-2013. All 17 sophomores that played in our program graduated and went on to continue their playing careers at the four-year level.
“Before working at Northern, I was the student manager for the Witcita State Shockers. I was hired by Coach Gregg Marshall in the summer of 2007 and worked for the men’s basketball team until I graduated in May 2010,” Mahoney added.
Coach Mahoney said it was a no-brainer to make the decision to come to Allen.
“It was a great opportunity for me professionally,” he said. “To coach in the Jayhawk Conference is a great thing to have on my resume. Also, it brought me closer to my mom and family.”
Still, this is the third time Coach Mahoney has changed locations since his time as a student at Wichita State. That is never an easy thing to do, but he said Allen gave him a very warm welcome.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed Allen,” Mahoney said. “Coming here was a huge blessing for me and my wife, Katie. Two weeks after we moved to Iola, Katie became the head women’s basketball coach here. Things could not have turned out better for the both of us. The people here at Allen are amazing. Katie and I both feel like we have been welcomed with open arms by everyone”.
Coach Mahoney came to Allen with a job in mind: To make the men’s basketball team as good as it can possibly be.
“We are looking OK. Guys are really working hard in the weight room and with their conditioning. The two keys will be how good the team comes together and if we get good leadership,” he said.
Coach Mahoney has great expectations for the men’s basketball team this year.
“I expect our team to play harder and be tougher than every opponent we play. Also, I expect the guys to compete every minute no matter if it’s a game, practice, weight session, conditioning, or whatever they’re doing,” he said.