Penn Hills youth football coach Mason Murray passes away

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A well-loved youth football coach in the Pittsburgh area has died.

The Penn Hills Midget Football Association announced that coach Mason Murray has passed away.

"In the football world here in Penn Hills, he was one of the elite," coach Mark Banner Sr., who was friends with Mason Murray, told KDKA-TV on Friday. 

Murray was a record-holding running back when he played at Penn Hills High School before graduating in 1995. He also played for the Penn Hills Bantams. 

The football association says that coach Mason chose to become a servant for the Penn Hills community and spent his life guiding future generations of young players while serving as a board member for over 20 years.

"With the talent that he had and make that decision to stay here and coach for 20 years is unheard of," Banner said.

The Penn Hills Indians Football Club said they were saddened and shocked to learn of Murray's passing. 

"Coaching was a thankless job and he was OK with it," Banner said. "It speaks volumes."

Funeral arrangements for Mason have not been announced. A cause of death was not announced.