ECU's Greg McMahon Joins New Orleans Saints Staff
February 10, 2006 | Football
Feb. 10, 2006
OFFICIAL SAINTS RELEASE/February 10, 2006
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The New Orleans Saints have hired two experienced assistants - George Henshaw as senior assistant/running backs coach and Greg McMahon as assistant special teams coach - it was announced today by the club.
"We continue to add coaches with experience and a record of success," said head coach Sean Payton. "Both were extremely impressive during the interview process. Each has a reputation of bringing discipline, hard work and a strong background in teaching to their jobs, and both are important additions to our staff."
Senior assistant/running backs coach George Henshaw arrives in New Orleans after a nine-year stint with the Tennessee Titans, including serving as the assistant head coach/offense since 2000. In that position, Henshaw worked in tandem with the offensive coordinator in game-planning as well as tutored the tight ends. Prior to being promoted, he held the club's assistant head coach/running game position in 1999 and was the tight ends/offensive line coach from 1997-98.
"George has extensive experience with several position groups on offense and he has a history of getting the most out of the running game," said Payton. "We have all the makings of a strong, balanced running attack and George's expertise and contributions will be invaluable."
Henshaw, whose coaching career started in 1970, was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach of the New York Giants from 1993-96, and worked for the Denver Broncos from 1988-92, serving as the offensive line coach his first three seasons before tutoring the wide receivers in 1991 and being promoted to offensive coordinator/wide receivers in 1992. Henshaw was the head coach at Tulsa in 1987 before joining the Broncos. He has also been the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama (1983-86) and Florida State (1979-82).
Assistant special teams coach Greg McMahon is also a longtime coach, having worked on the sidelines for over 20 years. He joins Payton's staff after a one-year stint as tight ends/special teams coach at East Carolina.
Prior to 2005, McMahon spent 13 years at the University of Illinois (1992-2004), working primarily with the tight ends and wide receivers. In 1997, he took on the additional responsibility of overseeing the special teams and his units blocked 16 kicks over his final four seasons. During that same span, the special teams accounted for nine touchdowns. McMahon will assist special teams coordinator John Bonamego.
"Solid, opportunistic play on special teams is critical when it comes to a game's outcome, and Greg will work closely with John," said Payton. "They will instill an aggressive, detail-oriented mindset in our coverage and return units."
McMahon, 46, came to Illinois in 1992 from Nevada-Las Vegas, where he spent two years coaching offensive tackles and tight ends. He also had stints at Valdosta State (1989), Southern Illinois (1988), North Alabama (1985-87) and Minnesota (1983-84 graduate assistant.)
