The Montana Football Hall of Fame will induct its 2025 Class on June 28, 2025 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Until then, SWX will profile each of the inductees in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.

Tom McMahon is a notable figure in the world of football and has made significant strides from his beginnings in Helena to becoming a decorated coach in the NFL.

McMahon’s football career started at Carroll College where he played under the legendary head coach Bobby Petrino. Known affectionately as ‘Putter,’ Petrino guided the Saints for 26 years and was a key influence in shaping McMahon’s coaching career.

After graduating from Carroll College with a degree in math and a 3.7 GPA, McMahon began his coaching career at Carroll and Bozeman High. His journey in Division I football started in 1994 at Utah State, where he spent 11 years.

In 2006, McMahon joined Louisville’s coaching staff under Bobby Petrino. That season, the Cardinals claimed the Big East Conference Championship with an 11-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory over Wake Forest.

The NFL beckoned in 2007 when McMahon joined the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant special teams coach, reuniting with head coach Bobby Petrino. His special teams unit set a new NFL record by allowing only 49 punt return yards for the entire season.

McMahon’s success caught the attention of the St. Louis Rams, who hired him as their special teams coordinator. He spent three years there before moving to Kansas City for a season and then to the Indianapolis Colts for four years. During his time with the Colts, McMahon’s units consistently ranked in the NFL’s top five in field goal percentage, net punting average, and kickoff return average.

In 2016, McMahon joined the Denver Broncos for four seasons, working alongside former Montana State All-American Bill Kolar. In 2020, Broncos kicker Brandon McManus tied an NFL record with ten 50-plus yard field goals.

McMahon moved to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 under head coach Josh McDaniels. In his first season, his group produced two Pro Bowl selections. Despite a coaching change in January, new head coach Pete Carroll retained McMahon as the first assistant, marking his 19th NFL season this fall.

Tom McMahon is married to Kim Sullivan from Anaconda, a decorated Montana athlete herself. They have three children: Emmett, Dawson, and Quincey. This year, McMahon will be inducted into the Montana Pro Football Hall of Fame.