Look out, he's back

One heart. One mind. One goal.

That's always been Mike Mason's motto.

Through six seasons, three league titles and two section championships, the football coach preached that philosophy to his players at Lindhurst High.

Now it's coming back.

After a two-year break away from coaching, Mason is reclaiming his spot at the helm of the Blazers. The coach who took Lindhurst to its first playoff appearance in 19 years in 2002 and willed the Blazers to consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI titles in 2006 and 2007 will once again be wearing a headset on the sidelines.

"I was premature in retiring, but at the time I felt it was the right thing to do," said Mason, 62, who stepped down after winning title No. 2.

But even though he was gone, all it would have took is one phone call to know his passion never diminished.

"Hi, this is coach...," his voice mail says.

That message hasn't changed since the days of leading Lindhurst to a 42-28 record and a 29-8 mark in Golden Empire League play. And in his mind, why should it? He's never really left, he said.

"I've been helping out in many, many ways," said Mason, who's still an English and mathematics teacher at the school.

After Mason retired, the program was passed to his offensive coordinator, Scott Albertson, who led the Blazers back to the title game before falling to Marysville. In 2009, Dan Crabtree took over before stepping down for personal reasons after a 4-7 season.

When the opportunity returned, Mason just had to take it. He missed it all — the players, the Friday night atmosphere, the joy of making the playoffs — too much.

"I think my wife is tired of hearing me whine because I always wanted to be out on that field and at the games," he said. "I just missed the whole aspect of the game."

When Mason officially announced his departure in February 2008, the 40-year coaching veteran said, "It's time to find some younger bodies to do this job."

And that's essentially what he's done with his corps of assistants. In addition to bringing back the same coordinators — including Albertson on offense — who won the back-to-back titles, Mason is infusing his ranks with youth.

He's bringing back former Lindhurst standouts from the last five years as position coaches, hoping their ability to relate with the players will be a nice compliment to his veteran wisdom.

Down the highway in Yuba County, his rival knows Mason's pedigree will help motivate all parties involved."The kids know him and what he's accomplished and it will light a fire underneath them," Marysville coach Cullen Meyer said. "And underneath me, too."

That's because there's only one place Mason wasn't to be.

He left on top. He wants to get back there as soon as possible.

"There's nothing like the smell of football when you reach the playoffs," he said.