The Bangor Rams have a new varsity boys basketball coach.
Aaron Pinckney, a Philadelphia native, Maine Central Institute alumnus, and longtime Ellsworth basketball coach was officially hired Wednesday night, Bangor Athletic Director Steve Vanidestine confirmed.
“Aaron has the experience, work ethic and leadership ability to coach this program. I was impressed by his ability to form relationships and relate to players,” Vanidestine said. “He knows the game, wants to work hard, and respects our tradition. He understands expectations are high both academically and athletically.”
Bangor is tied with South Portland for the most state championships in Maine history (13), most recently winning the 2019 Class AA title under head coach Brad Libby and Mr. Basketball Matt Fleming.
Yet Pinckney will assume the coaching position at a rough time for the program, with the Rams compiling a 9-47 record over the past three seasons, and Libby stepping down this March. Pinckney wants to establish a clear philosophy across all levels of Bangor youth basketball.
“My action plan is to get out in the community, show up to games, run skills camps and make my face known,” Pinckney said. “I want to build a culture, and make sure the peewee, middle school and travel coaches know what we’re trying to [accomplish]. Everyone wants to win, and I’m willing to take on that task — there’s not a situation I haven’t been in.”
Pinckney first moved to Maine from North Philadelphia in 2001 to play prep basketball for coach Karl Henrikson at MCI. After graduating, Pinckney played at East Stroudsburg University (NCAA Division II) in Pennsylvania, and first started coaching at age 20. He moved to Bangor in 2015 to teach and coach in the Ellsworth school system.
Most recently, Pinckney has served as a top player developer with the Black Bear North AAU program out of Greater Bangor, and coached Ellsworth to the 2024 girls junior varsity Penobscot Valley Conference championship.
“My philosophy is to be socially aware of my players, and teach them to accept knowledge,” Pinckney said. “You have to build that togetherness and trust. I’m sociable, but I don’t tolerate laziness, and we’ve got to play defense.”
Coach Pinckney said that he already knows some of Bangor’s varsity players, and will meet with them and last year’s assistant coaches later Thursday. He is yet to decide whether he will make changes to the coaching staff.
The photo caption was updated to correct the number of years Pinckney coached the Ellsworth boys freshman team.
