Colony promotes Mayo to head coach

March 25, 2005

JEREMIAH BARTZ/Frontiersman Sports Editor

PALMER - When the Colony Knights trot out onto the field to start the 2005 prep football season, longtime head coach Randy Magner will not be there to lead the gallop. But Magner's longtime assistant and defensive coordinator Jamie Mayo will be.

Mayo, a member of the Knight coaching staff for the past 11 seasons, was named head coach of the Colony football program this week. Mayo replaces Magner, who stepped down following the 2004 season and will retire from teaching in May.

Mayo's familiarity with the program, players and school separated himself from the remainder of a very strong group of candidates, according to Colony High School activities director Mike Boyd. The list of applicants included Mayo, other local candidates with a link to CHS as well as a pair of coaches from the Lower 48.

Colony High principal Cyd Duffin said it was nice to see the strength of the group of applicants, and ultimately the school chose the candidate who best knew the program.

"It is excellent to have a known commodity," Duffin said. "Students know him well - he works well with students."

In recent years local schools have taken a more assertive effort to hire head coaches who also work within the school. Although Mayo is not employed full-time by CHS, Duffin said Mayo is still the best person for this job.

"Having coaches within the building is always in mind, but should not be the driving reason to chose a coach," Duffin said.

Although CHS is not his primary place of work, Mayo's average time spent focusing on ÇHS athletics is comparable to a 40-hour work week.

"He started back when Colony wasn't winning. He's been very involved in turning the program into what we have now," Boyd said. "He loves the game, loves kids - he's very, very thorough when it comes to game planning and stat keeping."

Mayo's game planning is one reason why the Knights annually have one of the top defenses in the state.

"He lets you know strengths and weaknesses, both opponents and yourselves," Boyd said. "He's great at analyzing film."

In addition to his desire to make Colony a winner, Mayo has worked to put himself in position to one day take over the program.

"Since the day they hired me, that was my plan," Mayo said.

Mayo said the Colony faithful should not expect any drastic change, he just plans to expand and continue what was built during the Magner era.

"There will be some subtle changes to the way we do things, but I am a believer of why change things that work," Mayo said. "We can make some additions and polish some things."

While Mayo has his offensive and defensive strategies, he said his coaching philosophies revolve around honesty and trust.

"I think if you're not being honest with them you lose their attention, lose their respect," Mayo said. "Honesty, trust and respect - the three most important things to me."

Also the head coach of the Colony baseball program, Mayo has earned several coaching accolades while at CHS. Mayo was named the conference assistant football coach of the year three times and the state assistant coach of the year three

times.

After officially being named head coach, Mayo quickly began constructing his staff for the 2005 campaign.

"We're looking at a couple new people, but primarily the group from last year is going to be back," Mayo said. "A lot of familiar faces and that is real important. Only way to get better - consistent coaches they trust and respect. That makes it easier for coaches to get the message across."