With the head coaches of two prominent University of Maine sports already having signed contract extensions recently, athletics director Karlton Creech has retained two other longtime coaches.
Black Bears baseball coach Steve Trimper and women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley both have signed three-year extensions, Creech announced Wednesday.
They join men’s ice hockey coach Red Gendron and women’s basketball coach Richard Barron among the program leaders who have agreed to continue working at UMaine.
Gendron in February was given a two-year extension that will take him through June 30, 2019. UMaine last week revealed that Barron has signed a four-year deal that runs through the 2018-19 season.
Trimper is in his 11th season at UMaine since taking over for Paul Kostacopoulos. He has directed the Black Bears to a 300-280-2 record, which places him second behind only the late John Winkin (642-430-3) in program history.
Under Trimper, UMaine won the 2011 America East championship and made NCAA Regional appearances in 2006 and 2011. The Black Bears have made six consecutive conference tournament appearances.
“We are excited for the future of Maine baseball under coach Trimper’s leadership and guidance,” Creech said in a press release. “We are focused on providing our student-athletes with the qualities needed to succeed in the classroom and on the field and we are confident that coach Trimper is the premier leader to meet our goals.”
Trimper’s new deal will pay him an annual salary of $86,995.
Trimper was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2013 after leading UMaine to the top seed in the conference tournament. He has a career record of 472-455-3.
“I would like to thank both President Hunter and our athletic director, Karlton Creech, for providing me the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful university, community and state,” Trimper said in a press release.
“To me, there is no greater place in college baseball to work with student-athletes and give them a great college experience,” he added. “The greater Bangor community means an awful lot to both my wife, Lisa, daughters, Ally and Morgan, and me, and I look forward to representing the community and university to the best of my ability.”
Atherley is completing his 17th season as a UMaine’s head coach. His teams have posted an overall record of 136-123-32 and last season reached the America East semifinals.
Atherley’s Black Bears, who have made four straight league tourney appearances, reached the America East finals from 2003 to 2006 and again in 2010.
“As our current longest tenured head coach here at UMaine, we are extremely pleased with the commitment coach Atherley has had with our university,” Creech said. “I couldn’t be more excited for the future of our women’s soccer program and am eager to see the next step in their process.”
Atherley, a 1988 UMaine graduate who was a four-year letterwinner for the Black Bears, also coached the men’s soccer program for seven seasons before its being eliminated.
“I want to express my sincerest thanks to president Susan Hunter and Karlton Creech for affording me opportunity to continue to do what I love to do, among the people I care deeply about, at a place I consider home,” said Atherley, whose extension will pay him $69,999 per year.
“There are so many positive things happening on our campus and within the athletic department,” he added. “To be able to continue to share in the excitement with my colleagues and team is truly a privilege.”