McMahon, Robert P.

A true student of the game.
That was the best description of Robert P. McMahon when he donned a Thomaston High School basketball or baseball uniform.

“Bobby was so detail-oriented, ” noted former scholastic teammate Jason Harlow, now an associate head men’s basketball coach at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. “Bobby paid attention to everything. He was mentally sharp and focused to run basic drills precisely and simply the right way.”

So when McMahon, a 1988 graduate, would go on to play at UConn-Waterbury on both sports for legendary coach Gus D’Angelo, he only improved on those fundamental traits.

After McMahon earned a degree in education from the University of New Haven, he returned to his hometown.

Bill Ryan, also the athletic director, and also the girls basketball coach at the time, asked him to keep the clock and handle the scorebook for ‘$50.’ How could I turn that down? ” noted McMahon. “And I would get to watch the likes of Tracy Stolle (Wamogo) and Amy Matthews (Thomaston) play. The junior varsity job opened after that, joining Ryan on the bench.

McMahon would return to school to get an education degree and ultimately embark on a long tenure 30 years ago. He is currently a fifth-grade teacher at Center School.

When Ryan opted to step down as head coach, he didn’t have to search too far for his replacement.

“Bobby was the logical choice and the right man for the job, ” noted Ryan. “He did things his way, and you’d better do things his way. He was as tough as they come, but (great) players, like Abby Hurlbert (a 2026 CT Women’s Hall of Fame recipient) and Casey Carangelo (now a head coach at Wilby High in Waterbury) knew exactly what the expectations were. He knew exactly how to push their buttons.

“Were there tears a few times? Probably, but the players had the utmost respect for him because they knew he had the best interest and intention for them, ” said Ryan. “He prepared them so well for being on such a big stage.”

Ryan’s decision proved fruitful as McMahon’s record and success clearly speaks for himself.

On the hard court, his teams captured nine Berkshire League titles, eight BL Tournament titles, while compiling a 307-121 (.717 percentage), guiding the Golden Bears to three state titles in 2014, 2015 and 2022, the year he stepped down.

Reflecting back to her Thomaston career, Carangelo credited McMahon with providing her a foundation for her ultimate success.

“Coach McMahon played a huge role in my growth, both as a player and as a person, ” said Caranagelo. “He taught me the importance of discipline, accountability, and hard work on and off the court. His expectations were high, but they pushed me to become more focused and confident, and those lessons helped prepare me for the demands of college basketball and far beyond. He always believed in his players and wanted the best for us, not just in basketball but in life. He had a way of coaching that made you want to rise to the challenge, and I carry many of the lessons he taught me into my own coaching today. I am very grateful for everything he did for me, and I am proud to have had him as both a coach and a teacher in grammar school.”

McMahon didn’t take credit for the success, though.
“When you have good players, coaching is always easier, ” noted McMahon. “You can’t dispute the fact that we were way better than many of the teams. Luckily, I didn’t screw it up too badly.”

His 307 wins and three state titles made him an ideal candidate to ensure a spot in the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. He will be inducted with seven others on April 26 at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville.

He was the Republican American Hoop Zone Coach of the Year twice and received a Merit Award in March 2025 by the CIAC.

A founder of the CT Trotters youth program, a youth program. At halftime of varsity home games, the youth players would play on the court in front of the partisan fans. “The town support and the start of the CT Trotters became like a cult (following) because of Bobby McMahon, ” said Ryan.

“The CT Trotters turned out to be a great idea; it really took off, and the townspeople and the former players who were in the program love it to this day, ” noted Harlow.

One thing that McMahon reiterated would never be compromised was his integrity. “I would discipline kids (if it was necessary) and never put wins and losses above principles, ” he said.

His mentors and influencers clearly were his high school coaches-- Coach Muffy Gomes in basketball and Coach Gregg Hunt in baseball, and Harlow, one of his lifelong friends.

“Coach Gomes taught me about hard work and accountability and putting in an effort and playing time had to be earned, period, ” said McMahon. “Coach Hunt taught me so much about the technical parts of the game, the X’s and O’s needed. He’s a Hall of Famer (2025 CHSCA Coaches Association recipient) for a reason … Jason and I would talk for hours about game planning and strategies and how to get the best out of each of us when we were players and then became coaches.”

Gomes said that when he would watch McMahon’s teams one thing was an obvious constant.

“His players could always guard people well, ” noted Gomes. “That was consistent. Defense was stressed and focused on in practice. That was something you could do and that led to the team’s success.”

On the diamond, McMahon also guided the Golden Bears baseball team to a 143-73 record over nine seasons and the 2008 CIAC Class S state title. He also is a member of the Tri-State Baseball League Hall of Fame after a long career as a member of the Bethlehem Plowboys, along with best friend and HOF presenter John Pettit.

A Bristol resident, McMahon and his wife Susan have three children - Michael, a 2024 Bristol Central graduate, Molly, who will be a 2026 Bristol Central graduate, and Sean, who will be a 2026 St. Paul-Bristol graduate.