Mayson to step up as new Cardinal football coach

ELDON — Offensive coordinator Rich Mayson will step up to the plate as head coach for the Cardinal football team, an announcement made by the school on Tuesday afternoon.

Mayson has been the offensive coordinator for the past two years, under previous head coach Landon Miller. During that time, Cardinal has exploded on the offensive end, averaging 30.6 points per game in 2020-21 and 37.1 points per game this past fall.

“Rich has been a part of the staff that has helped change the culture of Cardinal Football,” said Cardinal Athletic Director Chris Becker. “He has a great work ethic and relationship with his players.”

Mayson is a graduate of Truman State University, where he was a football player and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in history. He continued his education at Northwest Missouri State University and earned his Master’s in athletic administration. Mayson also has experience as a coach of Iowa Western Community College, and he is also a head coach for Ottumwa.

Off the field, Mayson is the husband to Kristin and a father to three daughters; Jordi, Stela and Tyler.

Mayson will take over for a team that went 5-4 this season. He’ll have to replace a lot of key seniors, including starting quarterback Maddux Jones, leading rusher Ian Liles, leading receiver and tackler Griffin Greiner and much more.

Only one player to throw a pass, catch a pass or run the ball for Cardinal this fall was a non-senior, and the Class of 2022 hosts the four top tacklers.

“Rich brings experience and leadership that is capable of continuing to move the Cardinal Football program forward for years to come,” Becker said.