COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Without question the legacy of Colusa High School football is a long and storied one given the fact that the team first took the field in 1923.
However, another chapter has been added to the team’s history with the hiring of Yuba City native Mason Niccum as the 24th head coach to lead the program.
Perhaps the youngest ever to coach a Colusa football team, Niccum, a 2021 graduate of Yuba City High School, comes with a significant amount of experience despite the fact that he is just 22 years old.
In addition to his passion for the sport, Niccum also attributed watching his father, Eric, a longtime assistant coach at YCHS as a factor in his decision to become a coach.
“I grew up around coaching and football in the summer with my dad being a coach,” said Niccum. “I had played football all four years, but I knew I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to play after high school, so I went to the next best thing in the sport, which is coaching.”
Fresh out of high school, Niccum was given his first opportunity by Marysville head coach Jordan Holmes, who brought him aboard as an assistant coaching wide receivers and defensive backs, however by the next season he was elevated to offensive coordinator.
Yet, the following year, an opportunity for Niccum to return to his alma mater arose, which he accepted and by his second season with the Honkers, had taken over as their defensive coordinator.
Now just four years into his coaching career, he heads up a RedHawk program that is two years removed from winning a state championship.
Still, knowing he still has some things to learn, Niccum has enlisted the services of veteran coaches on his staff including his dad, former Yuba City head coach John Ithurburn, line coach Zach Troughton and Fielding Uhland, who will handle the quarterbacks.
Niccum, who will run the defense, is excited about coming to Colusa and making the most of his first season as a head coach as he explained.
“I am so excited and blessed to be a part of such a historic community and football program. The transition for me as a young coach has been seamless and that’s a credit to these amazing student athletes and the amazing staff that I have. This is a small-town high school where the community comes out on Friday nights to cheer on the kids and to me that’s what high school football is all about.”
With last season being a tough one for the RedHawks, Niccum and his staff will certainly face some challenges, but the newly minted head coach is optimistic about what lies ahead.
“We are focused on this season and the future of this program. It’s a credit to Coach Mikey Badaluco and his staff that the program is in good shape. We do not want to look behind us though, but always look ahead so we can prepare our kids to play extremely hard, tough and for each other every Friday night for years to come.”
Colusa will put in the work over the summer and kickoff its new era on Aug. 22 at home against Colfax.