Dana Redding, who guided the Calais High School girls basketball team to two state Class C championships and three Eastern Maine titles in his seven seasons, has decided to retire from coaching.
Redding, 62, who wants to spend more time with his family, said health problems also entered into his decision. He had heart valve surgery two summers ago.
“It was time (to retire),” Redding, whose teams compiled a 117-25 record, said. “I guess I’m getting a little selfish. It’s time for me to spend time with my grandkids (six grandsons).”
Redding had a challenging final season with the 13-6 Blue Devils, who lost to Dexter in the quarterfinals. An altercation between two players during a Jan. 10 game against Houlton resulted in an investigation that led to one starter being dismissed and another being suspended.
Redding’s wife was pushed by one of the players during the incident.
The disciplinary action was overturned by the Calais School Committee, which allowed the dismissed player to rejoin the team after serving a suspension. Superintendent of Schools Robert F. Moholland resigned six days later.
“I’d be lying if I said that didn’t enter into my decision, but the main reasons were my family and my health,” Redding, who worked at the Woodland Pulp mill for 25 years, insisted.
Redding is a social worker at Sunrise Opportunities in Machias for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and mental illness.
“He did a great job for us,” Calais athletic director Randy Morrison said. “He was pretty easygoing. He didn’t get too excited with the officials or if his kids made mistakes. And he did a good job handling that situation this season.”
Redding said people don’t know how much time goes into coaching.
“Even when you aren’t coaching, you’re thinking about it. You have to if you’re going to be successful,” he said.
Redding was an assistant coach for the Calais girls for seven years under Bob McShane and took over when McShane stepped down.
“I feel lucky I’ve been able to coach for the school and under (McShane),” Redding said. “There is quite a tradition down here, and hopefully it will continue.”
Redding noted he made a lot of friends while coaching. He said the hardest part was leaving the kids but feels they need a younger, more energetic coach.
“They mean everything to me and my wife (Laverne). My wife was the team mom all seven years,” Redding said. “I had great kids. Every one of them. And they all still call me coach.”
Redding played basketball, baseball and soccer at Calais High before attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where he played basketball and baseball.
“He is the classiest coach I’ve ever met,” Houlton coach Shawn Graham said. “He is very humble. He did a great job with his girls. He was very respectful toward opposing players and coaches. He is a class act.”
Redding’s state championship teams in 2010 and 2014 always will occupy a special place in his heart.
“The 2010 team will always be really special to me because of the way we won it. We were the sixth seed, and we won three nail-biters,” Redding said.
“The 2014 team had a lot more talent. We were lucky enough to have two good units in practice to go again each other every day,” he explained.
Redding, former president of the Calais Little League and a youth league basketball and baseball coach, said is looking forward to spending more time on the golf course. He won the club championship at St. Croix Country Club at the age of 55.