HEARTFELT MOMENT: Former BYU Coach Reno Mahe and Wife Sunny Welcome Baby Boy Nearly Two Years After Daughter Elsie’s Tragic Accident
In a moment marked by both joy and reflection, former BYU football coach Reno Mahe and his wife Sunny have welcomed a new baby boy into their family — nearly two years to the day after the tragic accident that claimed the life of their daughter, Elsie.
The Mahe family announced the birth of their son through a touching social media post, sharing the emotional significance of the timing. “Our sweet boy was born exactly two years — minus one day — after we lost our Elsie,” Sunny wrote. “He is a gift, a reminder of God’s grace, and a sign that beauty can rise from ashes.”
Elsie Mahe passed away in 2016 at just 3 years old after a tragic household accident involving a corded window blind. Her death sent shockwaves throughout the BYU and Utah communities, sparking nationwide awareness around child safety and window blind hazards. In the years since, the Mahe family has become vocal advocates for child safety reform, working with organizations to raise awareness and promote safer home standards.
Now, as they embrace the birth of their son, the Mahes are reflecting on the journey of grief, healing, and renewed hope.
“This baby will never replace Elsie — no one ever could,” Reno said in a heartfelt interview. “But he has brought a light into our home that we didn’t know we needed. Every child is a blessing, and this one arrived at a moment we can only call divine.”
Reno Mahe, who starred as a running back at BYU before playing in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, later returned to his alma mater as a running backs coach. Known for his upbeat energy and faith-driven leadership, Mahe has long credited his family — and his faith — for grounding him through life’s highs and lows.
Sunny, a former volleyball player at BYU and a deeply spiritual figure herself, has publicly chronicled much of their grief journey. Her transparency and vulnerability have made her an inspiration to many families facing similar tragedies.
“With Elsie, we learned how fragile life is. With our new baby boy, we’re learning again how powerful love is,” she shared.
Support and congratulations poured in from the BYU community and beyond. Former players, coaches, and fans expressed their happiness for the Mahes while remembering Elsie’s bright and joyful spirit. Many pointed out the poetic timing of the birth — not as a coincidence, but as a testament to life’s enduring rhythms of sorrow and joy.
As they begin this new chapter, Reno and Sunny Mahe are choosing to focus on gratitude and the healing power of family.
“We still cry. We still miss her every day,” Reno admitted. “But we also laugh again. We celebrate. And we love. That’s what Elsie would have wanted.”
For the Mahes, their son’s birth is more than just the addition of a new family member — it’s a symbol of resilience, faith, and the enduring strength of love in the face of unimaginable loss.
