PORTLAND – Mike Bailey, the longtime football coach at Portland High, resigned Friday.
Athletic Director Mike McCullum said Bailey offered his resignation and McCullum accepted it.
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Asked for an explanation, McCullum declined to comment.
“I can confirm that he resigned,” McCullum said. “The rest of it is a personnel matter that I’m not going to discuss.”
A 1973 graduate of Deering High, Bailey went on to the University of Maine and became an assistant coach at Westbrook High for four years before moving to Portland in 1981.
After five years as an assistant to Jack Garvin, Bailey took over the program in 1986 and compiled a regular-season record of 137-101 and was 15-15 in the playoffs.
Bailey is by far the longest-serving Portland High coach.
The Bulldogs won the 2002 Class A state title, beating Edward Little 41-6 a year after losing 20-14 to Bangor in the championship game.
“Portland High School has appreciated everything he’s done for our athletic program and Portland High School football,” McCullum said, “and we wish him the best in the future.”
Attempts to reach Bailey for comment were not successful.
He will continue his duties as a science teacher at Portland High School, according to McCullum.
The Bulldogs went 2-7 the past two seasons, culminating in a 33-0 loss to rival Deering in the 100th edition of their Thanksgiving Day game.
The contest ended on a sour note, with players pushing and shoving each other in the final minute following a Deering touchdown that Bailey described as “a classless act.”
Bailey responded with the unusual decision of kicking off instead of receiving.
Players shook hands after the game, but Bailey and Deering Coach Jon Gallant did not.
Asked whether the events on Thanksgiving played a role in Bailey’s resignation, McCullum said, “I’m not going to comment on that.”
Staff Writer Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or at:
gjordan@pressherald.com
Twitter: GlennJordanPPH
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