Mike Mari has been named interim athletic director/head football coach at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Calif.

UKIAH, Calif. – As of July 18, Mike Mari, former assistant head football coach and member of the Humboldt State Football Hall of Fame, will take over as interim athletic director/head football coach at Mendocino College.

Tom Gang has accepted a position as associate dean, athletics with Sierra College in Rocklin.

“We wish Tom the best in his new position,” said Kathy Lehner, superintendent/president of Mendocino College. “We are also excited about Mike Mari returning and continuing to support a winning football program. We have confidence that he will be a strong advocate for all the sports programs and an excellent addition to our staff.”

Mari worked most recently as the offensive line coach at Humboldt State University, which had an 8-3 record in his year there; he coached the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year as well.

Prior to moving to Humboldt State, he was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Mendocino College from 2004-10, guiding teams that earned championships in three of his six years and one State Scholastic Award winning team.

Players he coached went on to All-Conference, All-State and All-American Teams along with four-year programs at University of Kentucky, Portland State, and other top football schools.

In his own playing career, Mari was an All-State Defensive Lineman out of St. Bernard’s Catholic School in Eureka and went on to be a four-year starter from 1995 to 1998 and three-time All-Conference selection at Humboldt State.

After college, he played from 1999 to 2001 with the Oklahoma Wranglers of the Arena Football League. He was inducted into the Humboldt State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

Mari is remembered at the college for his strong work ethic, emphasis on discipline with his players and collegiality with other college staff and departments.

He possesses a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from Humboldt and a master’s degree in education specializing in adult education and distance learning.

His wife Tara also is a former Mendocino College employee, and they are expecting a second child this month to keep sister Madeline occupied.

“Words cannot express how excited we are to be back at Mendocino College,” says Mari. “My wife and I have a strong connection with the Ukiah and Mendocino College community. I am excited about my new role and will strive to make sure that every program in the athletic department works diligently find success on the field or court while also getting our student-athletes out to four-year colleges and universities.”