Spring Football: Mahaffey Returns Home

By Zach Ratchford
Athletic Communications Student Assistant

The UNI football program has a history of bringing back former players for coaching roles. These players exemplify excellence on and off the field. In the case of Ryan Mahaffey, the Panthers new co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, this is absolutely true.

Mahaffey, a Panther tight end from 2007-2010 was a valuable piece to the UNI program in his time as a player. Named a two-time second-team All-MVFC selection and two-time Scholar-Athlete Team honoree, Mahaffey was a dual performer on the field and in the classroom. He graduated in the spring of 2011 with a degree in economics.

His reliable play and steadfast work ethic presented Mahaffey the opportunity to play professionally in the NFL. He would go on to be a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

In 2013, without a contract from an NFL team, it was time for Mahaffey to make decisions about his career. One thing remained clear, Mahaffey knew he was passionate about working with young people and impacting lives.

"Football is a shared interest to be able to establish relationships and make an impact on young people, and at the same time they make an impact on myself," Mahaffey said.

This commitment to the players and the game landed Mahaffey the Panthers tight end coaching position in 2013 where he excelled as he often did as a player. Under his tutelage, the tight end unit would help spring the ground game to 1,967 rushing yards as well as provide timely receptions throughout the season.

Through this introduction to coaching many opportunities became available. Mahaffey would accept one of these opportunities, becoming a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish coaching staff in 2014 and 2015. Mahaffey, a graduate assistant with the Irish, was instrumental in coaching the wide receivers and tight ends. During his time with the Irish, the team would post an 18-8 record, as well as Music City Bowl and Fiesta Bowl appearances.

More important, he gained invaluable experience working with the national powerhouse that are the Irish. This experience lead to Mahaffey learning a surplus of information about his coaching and himself.

"Going to Notre Dame really allowed me to get out of my comfort zone," said the Grinnell, Iowa, native. "I think getting out of your comfort zone leads to the most personal growth. It also taught me how to collaborate as a staff in a very detailed way, while at the same time to have fun."

Through his commitment to coaching, Mahaffey continued to grow as a coach and a person, impacting countless athletes along the way. While he cherished his time at Notre Dame, home was never far from his mind. So when the co-offensive coordinator/wide receiver's position became available at UNI, he knew it was time to come home.

"The Cedar valley has always been great to me, this is home to me," Mahaffey said. "I love the university and the community, and it's great to be back. I also must admit one of my favorite parts about being back is that I get to go to Four Queens again, which I'm pretty fired up about."

UNI returns nine offensive starters from their dynamic unit of a year ago. The Panthers averaged 29 points per game last season, as well as averaging 233 yards on the ground. In his first year back, Mahaffey and his players look to consistently put forth maximum effort to achieve even higher numbers.

With such young vibrant energy and a hunger to succeed, Panther fans should expect big things from Mahaffey and his unit.

"Our hope is that we go out and approach every day with a sense of urgency and that were accountable to one another so that we can take advantage of every opportunity to get better," Mahaffey said.

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Spring Football: Mahaffey Returns Home

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