SOUTH PORTLAND — Mike Owens has been named varsity baseball coach at South Portland High School.
Owens replaces Tony DiBiase, who resigned last year after 14 seasons with the Red Riots and was hired in October to be head baseball coach at Portland High.
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The 33-year-old Owens, a former Gorham High baseball, basketball and soccer standout, has been coaching baseball and teaching elementary physical education in Colorado. He began looking for coaching openings in Greater Portland after his wife got a job in the area.
“I was interested in a position at a larger school,” said Owens, who coached high school baseball for four years in Colorado. “I know a lot of coaches in the area. Some of them I played against in high school. I asked questions about the baseball here. Having grown up here helped.
“South Portland has had a strong baseball program over the years. They’ve had a lot of success in the past.”
Owens said he hasn’t had a chance to introduce himself to his players but already has begun planning for next season.
High school baseball practice begins March 21 for pitchers and catchers, with full-squad practice beginning a week later.
“I know South Portland graduated a lot, but I’ve been told they have three or four veterans returning,” said Owens, who has served as a substitute teacher in the school system.
South Portland Athletic Director Kevin Woodhouse said Owens “had a quality interview.”
“He’s the type of coach who’s determined to get the best out of kids,” Woodhouse said. “He’ll create a strong program with great leadership, and he sounds like he’s planning on staying here.”
Owens was a shortstop in high school and was recruited to play at Maine, where he played one season before transferring to the University of Southern Maine. He then moved to Colorado and graduated from the University of Denver.
Owens was the point guard on Gorham’s 1996 Class B state championship basketball team.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com
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