After coaching the University of Maine men’s hockey team since 2001, coach Tim Whitehead has been fired, according to university officials. This season, the team finished with a record 11-19-8.
“It has been an honor to serve as the Head Coach of the Men’s Hockey Team at the University of Maine for the past 12 years,” Whitehead said in a statement. “My family and I feel blessed to have been part of the Maine Hockey family, and we will always cherish the relationships we have built, both at the University and in the Bangor Community.”
Whitehead also held a press conference at the Shawn Walsh Center Wednesday morning, taking questions from the media. Whitehead said he was not surprised he was let go and that although players had heard rumblings, it was still tough on them.
“I was disappointed, but not surprised,” Whitehead said. “It was tough [on the players]. I think they heard the rumblings. The response from them has been overwhelming.”
Whitehead touched on his immediate future, which will feature more time with his family before he gets back into coaching.
“I don’t know [my plans]yet, but No. 1 is to be a dad for a while,” Whitehead said. “I plan on coaching again no doubt, but for now I’m looking forward to be a full-time dad.”
UMaine President Paul Ferguson released a statement praising Whitehead’s time at the helm of the men’s hockey team.
“Tim’s positive character and demonstrated commitment to developing our hockey players as student-athletes have been outstanding,” Ferguson wrote. “We as a university are grateful for that commitment to student success.”
Director of Athletics Steve Abbott added in a prepared statement, “This is about the future of our marquee program. Since 2008, UMaine has experienced declining Hockey East success, season ticket sales and overall ticket revenues, and waning student engagement in men’s ice hockey. The President and I are committed to ensuring that our Men’s Hockey Program is financially sustainable, continues to focus on developing the student-athlete and is known nationally for excellence.”
Whitehead’s record as UMaine’s head coach is 227-157-51. Whitehead had one year remaining on his contract and the university will pay his $190,000 salary for the final year.
When asked about his potential replacement, Whitehead supported the idea of one of his associate head coaches — Bob Corkum and Dan Kerluke — take over the program.
“I’d love to see them take over,” Whitehead said. “They’re tremendous coaches. I’d love to see them move this thing forward. That’s out of our control but they’re great young coaches and well prepared to do that.”
According to Abbott, a national search will take place to look for Whitehead’s replacement. But according to multiple sources, former UMaine standout Jim Montgomery will be offered Whitehead’s position once a national searched is wrapped up.
Jeff Cox, a Hockey East reporter for SB Nation, tweeted that “Boosters who have been influential with buyout have almost been assured of Montgomery being offered the job after national search.”
And according to Montgomery, he’s interested.
“As an alumnus of the University of Maine hockey program, I have a lot of pride and effort and sweat put into that great program,” Montgomery, the current coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League, said over the phone Tuesday afternoon. “I would like to look at the opportunity to lead the program back to national prominence.”
Montgomery said he hadn’t been contacted yet, but “I’ll wait until my phone rings.”
Jesse Scardina contributed to this story.