Wisconsin Badgers mourn loss of longtime assistant coach Henry Mason

Henry Mason, a longtime Wisconsin football assistant who spent decades on the Badgers’ sideline and in their meeting rooms, died at 70, a loss that hit a program built as much on continuity as on wins. Mason served as Wisconsin’s wide receivers coach from 1995 to 2007 before an injury prevented him from continuing to coach. Mason’s name rarely appeared in the spotlight, but his influence showed up every Saturday in how Wisconsin played: disciplined, physical, and prepared.

During his tenure in Madison, Mason worked under multiple head coaches and guided generations of players through position changes, scheme tweaks, and the week-to-week grind of Big Ten football. In a sport where staff churns regularly, Mason became one of the familiar faces around Camp Randall Stadium, the kind of coach players remember years later, even if fans only caught him in a quick shot on the broadcast.

Wisconsin has leaned on stability in its best eras, and Mason was part of that fabric. Assistants who stay that long tend to become culture carriers, reinforcing standards in practice, in film sessions, and on the recruiting trail. Mason fit that mold for the Badgers. His longevity also made him a connective thread between different rosters and coaching philosophies, helping the program maintain its identity through transitions.

The university and program are expected to share additional details in the coming days, including any plans to honor Mason’s legacy.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Football Community Pays Tribute to Henry Mason