ORONO, Maine — Samantha Baranowski was living her dream as a professional basketball player in Europe.
Last winter, for the second time in three years, her season was ended prematurely by a concussion.
As Baranowski contemplated her future, the former University of Maine forward received a call from Black Bears coach Richard Barron.
“I thought maybe he had a new lead for me (to play) somewhere in Europe, but he said I have an opening on my coaching staff,” Baranowski said.
“I really respect him as a coach and as a person. I was really honored to receive that phone call and that offer from him,” she added.
This week, Baranowski began the next chapter in her basketball life as an assistant coach at UMaine. She fills the vacancy created when associate head coach Todd Steelman departed to become the head coach at Presbyterian College in South Carolina.
“We are very excited to bring Sam back to Orono,” Barron said in a news release.
“I look forward to working with Sam to help coach our post players,” he added. “I am also happy to have another former player on staff who knows our university and department well and cares for both deeply.”
At UMaine, Baranowski appeared in 112 games, scoring 674 points and grabbing 433 rebounds. As a senior during 2011-2012, she earned All-America East, third-team honors.
“I really enjoyed coaching Sam during her senior year and saw her improve tremendously,” Barron said.
Baranowski admitted it was a key year in her development.
“I learned so much basketball-wise and even off-the-court stuff that the coaches were preparing us for,” she said. “I’m really excited to come back and work for him now in a new role.”
Baranowski played four seasons in Europe for BC Pharmaserv Marburg, Marburg an der Lahn Germany, the Nottingham Wildcats and TK Hannover.
“It was a dream come true. That’s pretty cool when you take a step back and are able to be proud of yourself for making that happen,” she said.
Baranowski said doing basketball clinics and working with youngsters fostered a desire to become a coach.
“I’ve been more interested in the skill training aspect of coaching, developing players, versus tactics,” she said.
“Coaching is something that continues to grow on me the more I do it.”
At UMaine, Baranowski will be working with players from the U.S. and overseas. Her experience adjusting to a different style of basketball and a new culture should be beneficial.
“I went through it myself so hopefully I can help relate to them and make them feel more comfortable. I hope I can relate to them a little bit,” she said.
Baranowski, who was recruited by former coach Cindy Blodgett, graduated from UMaine in 2012 with a degree in international affairs, with a history concentration and a Spanish minor. She looks forward to rekindling friendships on and around campus.
“I don’t even feel like I’m leaving home, I’m just going to my other home,” she said.