Leah McMahon Named MHCC Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Leah McMahon as the new head women's basketball coach. With an impressive basketball background and many years of experience as a business owner, Coach McMahon brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to fostering both athletic excellence and personal growth within her players.

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon Coach McMahon attended Marist High School from 1989 to 1992. As a point guard on the girls’ basketball team, the Spartans compiled an 81-21 record overall with four consecutive state tournament appearances resulting in seventh, fifth, and third place finishes.

In 1992, Coach McMahon walked on to the Oregon State University women’s basketball program chasing a childhood dream to play for legendary Coach Aki Hill. After three seasons as a walk-on, Coach Hill awarded McMahon a full athletic scholarship. In her senior season, Coach McMahon received the team’s Leadership Award for Campus Connections. Her best relationships were forged during her college career.

After college Coach McMahon played in Australia and New Zealand for Athletes in Action. Upon returning to Oregon, Coach McMahon dove into a career in marketing making stops at National Media Group in New York, AthletesVillage.com in Phoenix, Lucy Sportswear, Moda Center, and Reed College in Portland.

Her coaching stints during this time included Aloha High School, St. Mary’s Academy, Warner Pacific University, and various camps around the Northwest.

McMahon’s career course changed on April 8, 2005. She found herself having to start her own next chapter. With leftover money from her wedding, she opened a small coffee shack in Gresham, Oregon and created the brand known locally as Silk Espresso. With a growth mindset and a commitment to excellence Silk Espresso flourished—at one point operating out of five locations. In 2011 she published a memoir of her journey through coffee and basketball titled “At First Sip.” 

In November 2023, after 18 years at the helm, McMahon sold Silk Espresso to a local family.

McMahon accepted the MHCC women’s basketball coaching job on April 8, the same date she had to start over 19 years ago.

"Coach McMahon's remarkable journey, from the courts of Marist High School to the entrepreneurial world of Silk Espresso reflects her dynamic leadership style and ability to adapt. With her leadership, we're confident that our women's basketball program will thrive,” Athletic Director Dr. Kim Hyatt said.

Coach McMahon lives just outside Gresham, Oregon with her husband Bubba and her golden retriever. She enjoys photography, reading, and watching women’s sports.

Her approach to basketball starts with creating culture. She believes that devotion to fundamentals, defense, and respect will foster lifelong relationships and a tradition of excellence.