After six successful seasons at the helm of the Redmond High softball team, Paris Mamon is stepping down to spend more time with his family.

Mustang athletic director Dan Pudwill said Mamon — who led his squad to the 4A state tournament the last three seasons — also received a promotion at his job in Federal Way and tried to find the hours to coach in Redmond as well, but it wasn’t possible.

“He brought a sense of family to the team. They really seemed to be a tight unit,” said Pudwill, noting that Mamon, 48, always fielded a solid squad, and “somehow, some way at the conclusion of the season, they’d be playing their best ball.”

After interviewing two candidates for the Redmond softball job, three-year Mustang assistant coach Alison Mitchell received the nod. The 34-year-old Issaquah resident interviewed for the job on Dec. 2 and was informed of her hiring on Dec. 5.

Mitchell said that Mamon told the team he was leaving at the conclusion of last season.

“Oh, it was tough,” Mamon said about his decision to leave his Redmond post. “I’ll miss those kids. It will be really hard when spring rolls around.”

Mamon, who works as lead security officer for the Federal Way School District, has been coaching for nearly 18 years and said it’s time to take a break, for at least a year, he said. One of the things he’s looking forward to doing is watching his young daughter run in elementary school track meets.

“We’re gonna miss him,” said Mitchell, who added that she enjoyed coaching with Mamon, whom she described as “the yin to my yang.” They teamed up and put all the pieces together to roll through the tough 4A KingCo conference and on to state.

“It’s gonna be fun,” said Mitchell, whose team will compete in 3A KingCo in the spring. “We always have a really tough group, and I’m looking forward to picking up where he left off.”

Mitchell said she learned from Mamon to let go of the small things and focus on the big picture, which is finishing strong and striving for postseason play.

Mitchell’s coaching philosophy also centers around growing throughout the season, getting past the bumps in the road and failures along the way. She likes watching the younger players step up and the older players jump into leadership roles.

Pudwill added that Mitchell has “great fire, passion for the girls and the team.” She is a big part of the Redmond softball culture and is committed to the players and the program, he added.

Mitchell played softball at Eastside Catholic High and later was a head coach and assistant at her alma mater. She was also a head coach at Skyline High and with the Washington Ladyhawks 16U squad. She also served as recruiting coordinator for the Ladyhawks’ 16U and 18 Gold teams.

While Mamon was involved with Redmond softball, he was proud of the team winning the league sportsmanship award and gutting it out in league play and the postseason playoffs to notch those three spots to state.

Mamon feels that Mitchell’s Mustang talent cupboard isn’t bare and the squad can keep the state streak alive in the 3A realm.

“She’s got a good grasp on the program,” he said.

But it’s not just about wins, it’s about building relationships with the players and watching them thrive on and off the field. Mamon will miss that aspect of Redmond softball.

“It’s a blessing any time you can see kids excel in life,” Mamon said.