After one of the most tumultuous seasons in University of Maine men’s basketball history, changes were sure to come.
Those changes did not take long, as on Tuesday morning UMaine announced Tuesday morning that Bob Walsh of Rhode Island College would be named the new men’s basketball coach.
Walsh has been the Rhode Island head coach for nine seasons, leading them to eight consecutive Division III postseason appearances including seven straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament and a 204-63 record. He also served as an assistant coach at Providence College for seven years, during which they amassed a 182-146 record.
“I am excited to welcome Coach Bob Walsh to the Black Bear family,” said UMaine director of athletics Karlton Creech in a press release. “His time at Rhode Island College has been the most successful in the history of the program.”
Last season he received the Jim Baron Div. III Coach of the Year and Little East Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Anchormen to a 26-4 overall record and a 13-1 mark in the Little East Conference. He was one of 15 finalists for the Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year.
UMaine hosted Northeastern University associate head coach Dave McLaughlin and Walsh for campus visits Thursday and Friday of last week, respectively. They reportedly made their decision following Walsh’s Friday visit.
Walsh replaces former head coach Ted Woodward, who had his contract bought out shortly after last season. Woodward served as the UMaine head coach for ten years and leaves after an abysmal 6-23 season and the transfer of several key players after the season.
Walsh’s history of long-term success and basketball intelligence will make him a huge asset for a UMaine team looking to rebuild following a dismal 2013 campaign.
“Coach Walsh is highly respected in the college basketball community and ready for the challenge of leading and rebuilding UMaine’s Division I basketball program,” said Creech.
“I’m excited to begin the challenge of establishing a championship culture at the University of Maine as the leader of the men’s basketball program,” said Walsh via press release. “I can’t wait to be a part of the excellent academic and athletic culture at UMaine, and to embrace the energy and passion of the community.
UMaine received more than 100 applicants for the head coaching position in the first nine days after Woodward’s contract was bought out. The search committee was chaired by Associate Director of Athletic Development and former interim athletics director Seth Woodcock.
“Bob Walsh is a perfect fit to lead our men’s basketball program,” Woodcock said. “He is a proven winner with a successful system built on the principles of accountability, trust, commitment and good old-fashioned hard work.”
Walsh will earn $100,000 in the first year of his four-year contract and it will increase $5,000 over the next two years and $10,000 in the final year, earning him $120,000 in his fourth year.