SHELBY — Rob Mahaney has cemented his name among Shelby football’s coaching greats.
The Whippets 49-7 win over Lima Bath in last week’s regional semifinal marked Mahaney’s 100th career victory as a head coach. It was his 65th win with Shelby since taking the helm in 2019.
Mahaney earned the other 35 wins during his six seasons as head coach at Mapleton. He now ranks third on Shelby’s football coaching wins list behind a pair of Whippet legends, coaches Bill Wilkins (155 wins) and Bill Varble (90).
“This is a special place to play in front of this community,” Mahaney said Friday. “To do it like this, it means a lot. I’m thankful for these kids and our coaches.”
His players and coaching staff surprised him with a signed game ball in the postgame huddle after beating Bath, a game which punched Shelby’s ticket to a rematch with Galion in the Division IV, Region 14 regional final Friday night.
Mahaney credited all the assistants he’s coached with, whether at Mapleton or Shelby. Mahaney went 35-30 while leading the Mounties from 2013 to 2018 and has posted a 65-18 record for the Whippets since 2019.
“I’ve had a really great group of assistant coaches from the beginning,” he said. “Whether it was at Mapleton or at Shelby, throughout all 13 years (of Mahaney’s coaching career), I’ve had a great group of guys and great kids who have bought in.
“To do special things at Mapleton and then to come here and win six league titles in seven years and be playing in the regional finals, it is cool to do it in this game.”
Wins are ‘furthest thing’ from Mahaney’s mind
Shelby quarterback Brayden DeVito has spent his entire high school career playing for Mahaney. The senior spoke highly of what Mahaney has meant to the program.
“I can’t say enough good things about him,” DeVito said after last week’s win over Bath. “He is so smart. He is not your scream (and) yell at you type of coach.
“He’ll get stern, but there isn’t a single person on this team that doesn’t love him (Mahaney).”
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Along with his players, Mahaney’s peers also have a wealth of respect for the program’s leader. Shelby defensive coordinator Jon Amicone said Mahaney’s 100th victory is a testament to the effort he puts into coaching.
“The thing that’s great about him (Mahaney) with 100 wins — you would never know it. That does not matter to him at all,” Amicone said, explaining that Mahaney places value on developing relationships with kids and “being the best coach he can be.”
“The wins that Robby (Mahaney) has accumulated are sensational, but it is the furthest thing from his mind and that’s what makes him such a good person,” Amicone said.
Mahaney will have a chance for career win No. 101 Friday when the Whippets clash for the second time this season with Galion — this time for a regional title and state semifinal berth.
