It didn’t take long for Bill Goodman to find another coaching position.
Goodman was hired on Friday as the girls’ basketball coach at McAuley High in Portland, just 15 days after he resigned that position at Greely High in Cumberland.
Additional Photos
He replaces Amy Vachon, who left after leading the Lions to the Class A state championship in her only season to take an assistant’s job at the University of Maine, and inherits a team capable of repeating.
“It’s absolutely amazing what has happened the last three weeks,” said Goodman. “But everything happens for a reason and I’m very excited.”
Goodman was at Greely for three seasons, compiling a 51-11 record. His team played in two Western Class B championship games and one semifinal. He has experience in the competitive SMAA, having previously served as an assistant at Deering High, where he was on the staff of two state championship teams.
“I don’t know many of the players, but I know how tough that league is,” said Goodman. “But you know, we played a lot of tough teams at Greely, going against Lake Region and York and Leavitt in the tournament. There’s a lot of talent in Class B too. The difference is you’ve got to bring it every night in Class A.”
After he resigned from Greely, Goodman spoke to his wife, Jodie, a teacher at Thornton Academy, and decided to apply to both McAuley and Westbrook. “She knew I would be miserable not coaching,” said Goodman. “I need to coach. And I’m very lucky I got this job. I can’t wait to start.”
He will meet with his new players next week, and hopes to start creating an immediate bond. The Lions were 20-2 last year with the state title and return several outstanding players, including center Alexa Coulombe, who has committed to Boston College, and guards Allie Clement and Sadie Dipierro.
“There’s pressure right away,” said Goodman. “I mean, we’re not in a rebuilding situation; we’re in a keep-it-going situation. McAuley has a great tradition and we’ve got to start this summer. The girls have got to get to know me and I’ve got to get to know them.
“This summer is a big time for us to get going and hopefully we’ll be in a great place come Thanksgiving.”
Goodman spoke to Vachon before taking the job. She had been an assistant to him at Greely before moving to McAuley a year ago.
“I feel, having talked to Amy, I know the girls a little better,” he said. “Hopefully this won’t be a big change, we have many of the same philosophies.”
McAuley Athletic Director Joe Kilmartin said those philosophies were among the reasons Goodman was hired.
“Bill’s proven ability to lead talented athletes, his coaching background and personal character made him the correct choice for McAuley,” said Kilmartin in a statement. “I believe his overall experience will ensure that McAuley basketball and its student-athletes will continue to prosper and grow.”
Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.