The departure of one University of Maine women’s basketball coach has opened the door for promotions for two others.
Black Bears head coach Richard Barron on Monday announced that he has promoted Augusta native Amy Vachon to associate head coach and has elevated Edniesha Curry to the No. 2 assistant spot.
Vachon and Curry moved up the UMaine coaching ladder after former associate head coach Todd Steelman last week was hired as the head coach at Division I Presbyterian College in South Carolina.
Vachon, a former star guard at Cony High School and at UMaine, is completing her fifth year as an assistant under Barron. She will continue to serve as the recruiting coordinator.
“Amy has been instrumental in our resurgence with the women’s basketball team and has proven an invaluable asset to me, to our players, and to our department,” Barron said in a news release.
Vachon also will continue to focus on developing UMaine’s guards while assisting in all areas. On Sunday, she was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished in the last five years and look forward to continuing the excellence of University of Maine women’s basketball with America East Championships and trips to the NCAA tournament,” Vachon said in the release. “The University of Maine has always been a special place to me and I am honored to be able to continue to be a part of Black Bear Nation.”
Curry, who joined the UMaine program last year, will focus her efforts on individual player development.
“Edniesha has brought great energy and passion to our program and will be a tremendous mentor and teacher for our young team next year,” Barron said.
Curry came to UMaine last summer after a four-year stint training and developing players across the world with stops in Vietnam, China, Israel and Palestine. She was a 2002 third-round draft pick of the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting after playing college ball at Cal State-Northridge and Oregon.
“I’m grateful for the promotion and Coach Barron’s confidence in me after one season here with the women’s basketball program,” Curry said. “I look forward to our continued growth and championship culture.”
Barron also announced that sports performance coach Mallory Benard will return after working in the newly created position for a year.
“Having our own sport performance coach has made a tremendous difference in our team and our culture,” Barron said.
Husson coach stepping down
Husson University on Monday announced that head volleyball coach Jodie Fairbank has resigned the position effective May 13.
Fairbank coached the Eagles to a 20-41 record over three seasons, including a 9-21 mark in 2015 as a member of the North Atlantic Conference.
“I will always be grateful to Husson University for teaching me so much about volleyball and life,” Fairbank said in a news release. “I regret leaving this position but look forward to what the future may hold. I wish the Eagles ever success.”
Fairbank was a three-year letterwinner as a setter at the University of Southern Maine from 1996-98 before transferring to Elizabeth City State University for the 1999 season.
She served with the United States Army in 2005, winning multiple medals in Commendation, Achievement, and Good Conduct. Fairbank also coached and was a team member of two Army league teams.
“We are sad that Jodie has submitted her resignation as head volleyball coach at Husson University,” said Eagles athletic director Frank Pergolizzi. “She has worked hard to build our program over the past three seasons.”