NEW MARTINSVILLE — Craig Mason embraces a challenge.

The 2002 Magnolia High School graduate is about to embark on a big one.

Mason was recently hired as the head football coach at his alma mater with the hopes that he can play a role in turning around the Blue Eagles’ recent struggles.

“The last few seasons are nothing that anyone in this community wanted to see,” Mason said. “With where this program has been in the past and with the expectations that surround it, I believe we can get back there and get there quickly.”

Mason, 39, takes over for Doc Chapman, who stepped down shortly after last season ended. The Blue Eagles have battled several issues in terms of participation numbers, which actually led to the final two games of the season in 2022 being canceled.

“We had 45 kids in the upper three grades sign up for this fall,” Mason said. “Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see how those numbers hold up, but I am fully anticipating a full varsity and junior varsity schedule, which are things to definitely be excited about.”

The Blue Eagles finished last season 0-8 and were outscored 432-30. Dating back, the Blue Eagles haven’t tasted victory on the football field since Aug. 27, 2021, which is a span that includes 16 consecutive setbacks.

Mason, who hasn’t been a part of the staff the last three seasons, is encouraged because of the experience the team has coming back as numerous young players were thrust into action.

“I think we’ll have 40-plus kids in that upper-class group and despite a lot of them being sophomores, they’ve all played varsity football,” Mason said. “A big chunk of our roster will be sophomores. We’re only going to have a handful of seniors in the program.”

Mason was a standout player for the Blue Eagles, playing for OVAC Hall of Fame Coach Dave Cisar as a freshman and then for Mark Batton. As a senior, in 2001, Mason helped the Blue Eagles reach the Class AA state semifinals.

After graduation, Mason attended West Virginia University where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He remained in Morgantown and earned a master’s degree in secondary education.

Mason, who is a math teacher at Magnolia, started coaching under Batton and then served a couple of seasons under Chapman. He’s gained three years of experience at the varsity level as a member of the River staff.

Prior to returning to the Ohio Valley, Mason was a freshman and middle school coach at Morgantown.

“I’ve always had the desire to be a head coach,” Mason said. “I’ve been (at Magnolia) since 2017 and been around the kids and had all of them in class, so I have a good relationship with them already.”

Obviously, the change in leadership has helped spark an interest in the program, but Mason knows the challenges he faces.

“We’ve had good numbers in the weight room, so we’re optimistic,” Mason said. “We know we have a long way to go, but we feel like we’re on the right track. Change brings a little bit of excitement and I think we’re seeing it, so I hope it holds and carries over to the summer.”

As for what Blue Eagles fans can expect to see from a Mason-bed squad this season, look for many of the approaches that have led to the success to which Magnolia has been accustomed.

“We’re going to try to re-establish some of the basic structures of the defense, which made Magnolia what it was,” Mason said. “Offensively, we’ll look similar, too. We will be a run-first team, but we want to spread the ball around.”

Craig and his wife, Meredith, have three children and reside in New Martinsville.