Report: Colts Make Promising Addition to Coaching Staff
This weekend brought an answer to the Indianapolis Colts' last big coaching question. As the first report of the team hiring Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason came from Tom Loy of 247 Sports, it would later be confirmed by the Indy Star’s Joel Erickson:
Getting to Know Brian Mason
Mason is 36 years old and an Indiana native who graduated from Zionsville Community High School. He has been coaching around the sport of football since 2006 and last season was his first and only season with Notre Dame as their special teams coordinator.
- 2006-2007: Student Assistant Denison University
- 2009-2011: Defensive Line Bluffton University
- 2012: Graduate Assistant Kent State
- 2013-2014: Graduate Assistant Purdue
- 2015-2016: Graduate Assistant Ohio State
- 2017: Director of Recruiting University of Cincinnati
- 2018-2021: Special Teams Coordinator University of Cincinnati
- 2022: Special Teams Coordinator University of Notre Dame
One of the holes left by the departure of Bubba Ventrone was his help in the scouting department, which led to multiple day-three picks turning into hits during his tenure. Mason brings experience in the scouting department from his year as the Director of Recruiting for the University of Cincinnati. Some of the notable names apart of the 2017 recruiting class for Cincinnati were Coby Bryant (Seattle Seahawks), Darrick Forrest (Washington Commanders), Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs), and Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons).
In 2018, Mason would get a new opportunity with the Cincinnati Bearcats, becoming their special teams coordinator under head coach Luke Fickell. The Bearcats would storm through 2021 when the team finished the regular season 13-0 and advanced to the College Football Playoffs. Mason’s unit specifically would shine as they were tied for the most blocked kicks in the nation with 6 and ranked seventh in blocked punts with 3. After the stellar season, Mason would get the opportunity to join a newly hired head coach in his home state of Indiana.
Mason would join new Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman in South Bend in 2022, returning to his home state of Indiana to become the Irish’s special teams coordinator. Mason’s’ stint with Notre Dame ends up only being one season because of the impressive improvements the special teams unit saw. His group would block 7 punts, which led the nation. Prior to that season, the Irish had only blocked 6 punts total over the last decade.
Mason won't have to move very far, coming to Indianapolis with the Colts from South Bend. The homegrown coach will replace Ventrone, who coached the unit to being seen by peers as one of the best special teams units in the NFL. This hire was one of the most important positions the Colts and head coach Shane Steichen had to make this cycle.
