MILLINOCKET, Maine — Stearns High School is scrambling to line up a new head football coach for the second straight summer.
John Jamo, the program’s longtime assistant coach who ascended to the Minutemen’s head position last summer, tendered his resignation June 1 citing personal reasons.
Jamo had replaced Chris Preble, whose 13-year tenure as head coach ended last Aug. 12 when he was named assistant principal and health teacher at Winslow Junior High School.
Jamo guided Stearns to a 5-3 regular-season record last fall and a berth in the Eastern Maine Class D (LTC) quarterfinals.
“This was a personal decision on my behalf, and it was very difficult to come to,” said Jamo in an email. “In the end it came down to what was best for me. I have nothing but the utmost respect for this program that I gave my heart and soul to for 17 years as a coach and four as a player.
“I can’t thank the administration enough for giving me the chance to lead the boys in blue as their head coach last year. I wish the team, the school, the new head coach and our community the very best of luck,” he said.
Frank Boynton, Millinocket superintendent of schools, said Tuesday that a search is under way to find Jamo’s replacement.
“John has a significant commitment at his work so he wasn’t able to continue,” said Boynton. “But we are in the process of looking for a football coach.”
Jamo was a star running back and linebacker at Stearns during his playing days, which included helping the Minutemen to an undefeated season and the Class B state championship in 1987.
He went on to play football at Maine Maritime Academy but was back at his alma mater as defensive coordinator even before Preble was named Stearns’ head coach in 2001.
The combination of Preble and Jamo helped guide Stearns to the 2003 LTC Class C title game and the 2010 Eastern Maine Class C championship.
“John was really good, and he really cared about the players,” Boynton said. “He took a lot of pride in what he did, and we’ll miss him very much.”
