INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts today hired Tom McMahon as the special teams coordinator. McMahon holds six years of NFL coaching experience and spent the 2012 campaign as the special teams coach with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"We're excited that Tom will be joining our staff," said Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano. "He brings a strong coaching background and his players have routinely ranked among the league's best in all facets of special teams. We look forward to working with him as we strive to have one of the top special teams units in the NFL."
With the Chiefs last season, McMahon guided AFC Pro Bowl punter Dustin Colquitt, who ranked second in the NFL with 45 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line while averaging 46.8 yards per punt and a net average of 40.8. McMahon joined Kansas City following three seasons as the special teams coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. In 2010, the Rams posted the league's third-best net punting average at 40.0 yards per punt. In addition, Rams punt returner Danny Amendola led the NFL with 12 returns of 20-plus yards in 2009 and 2010 combined. Prior to his time in St. Louis, McMahon spent two seasons (2007-2008) as an assistant special teams coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He was crucial in the development of kick returner Jerious Norwood, who tallied 2,628 kickoff return yards, which ranked third in the NFL over that two-year span.
Before joining the Falcons, McMahon coached outside linebackers and special teams at the University of Louisville (2006). Under his guidance, kicker Art Carmody earned the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker. McMahon spent 11 seasons coaching at Utah State, including eight campaigns as a full-time assistant. He served as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator from 2001-2005 after coaching linebackers and special teams from 1998-2000. McMahon joined Utah State in 1995 as a graduate assistant, helping coach defensive ends.
McMahon started his coaching career at his alma mater, Carroll College, in 1992 as the school's secondary coach. He spent one year at Bozeman (Montana) High School in 1993 before returning to Carroll to coach the secondary in 1994.
A native of Helena, Mont., McMahon and his wife, Kim, have three children, Dawson, Emmett and Quincy.
McMahon's Coaching History
2012, Kansas City Chiefs, Special Teams Coach
2009-11, St. Louis Rams, Special Teams Coordinator
2007-08, Atlanta Falcons, Assistant Special Teams Coach
2006, Louisville, Outside LBs/Special Teams Coordinator
2001-05, Utah State, Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
1998-2000, Utah State, Linebackers/Special Teams Coach
1995-97, Utah State, Graduate Assistant
1994, Carroll College, Secondary Coach
1993, Bozeman High, School, Assistant Coach
1992, Carroll College, Secondary Coach
