Jeff Beaney was not ready to stop coaching. So the former University of Southern Maine men’s hockey coach will be back on the ice this winter as head coach of the Portland/Deering boys’ co-op team.

Beaney’s hiring was announced Thursday morning on Twitter by Rob O’Leary, the athletic director at Portland High.

“I think Portland and Deering have lucked out with this hiring,” said O’Leary. “You’re not going to find anyone who can get these kids ready for the next level better than Coach Beaney.”

Beaney, 55, stepped down from his position at USM midway through this past season, his 28th as the Huskies’ head coach, though at the time he said he would have preferred to finish the season. He led USM to a 260-380-50 record, reaching the ECAC East title game once.

“It’s kind of like I’m going home,” said Beaney, who worked at Troubh Ice Arena for about 10 years when Portland began its hockey program. “I was there when they started. I view this as a chance to give back to the area. It’s a different challenge, one I am looking forward to. It could be fun.”

Beaney didn’t talk about how his time at USM ended, only that he “still had an itch to coach.”

When he saw Portland/Deering had an opening, he made a couple calls before contacting O’Leary. It turns out they have much in common. Both played hockey at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. O’Leary played against USM when Beaney was coaching there.

“I knew what type of coach he was,” said O’Leary, “and I know he wants to coach young kids looking to learn the game. He’s a great teacher and motivator.”

Beaney realizes there will be different challenges coaching high school players rather than college players. But he’s looking forward to working one-on-one with players again.

“This is about getting back to the grassroots of coaching, teaching skills,” said Beaney. “College hockey is now about recruiting.”

Beaney estimated that he spent 80 percent of his time recruiting.

“I think we can bring a lot of stuff that we did in college to this level,” he said. “Obviously we have to adjust to it. But our main focus is going to be about relationships, knowing people, getting them to be better people on and off the ice.”

Beaney replaces Chad Hart, who led Portland/Deering to a 7-12 record last year. The team, which had only two seniors, advanced to the Western Class A quarterfinals. Beaney hopes to introduce the players to a different style.

“The question is if we can bring in more of a skilled game, not just shoot the puck in and go after it,” he said. “We want to expose the kids to a puck-control type of game.”

O’Leary said he’s sure Beaney can adjust to the high school level. “I know the kids will be ready to play night in, night out,” he said.

And Beaney is looking forward to being back on the ice.

“This seems to be a good fit,” he said. “They seem excited. I’m excited. I like coaching.”

 

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