STANDISH – Andy Bedard’s first official day on the job at St. Joseph’s College is sure to be unlike any of the others to come, simply because it’s the first time Bedard ever went to work with the title of head coach.

The 26-year-old former Mountain Valley and University of Maine star’s first day as the men’s basketball coach and coordinator for intercollegiate athletics was marked by long hours, lots of phone calls and even more handshakes. The phone calls and handshakes came from well-wishers, new co-workers and media, but outside of a campus tour, Tuesday probably wasn’t a lot different than what today or the next day or the next 100 days will be like for Bedard.

He was, is, and will be very busy.

“I’m just getting settled in,” a somewhat haggard-sounding Bedard said during a telephone interview early Tuesday evening.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to start a head-coaching career and be part of a great community,” he said. “I love the location of the school (and) the reputation it has.”

St. Joseph’s selected Bedard two weeks ago to succeed long-time coach Rick Simonds, who resigned after 23 years and over 450 victories as coach. In addition to coaching the Monks, Bedard was given a newly created position to oversee community outreach and academic support for all of the school’s student-athletes.

Two players, sophomore Jeremiah Mitchell and freshman Chad Pulkkinen, stopped by Bedard’s office to meet him Tuesday. Bedard said he has also talked to several other players by phone.

The Monks will graduate six seniors, including four starters, but Bedard said having turnover on the roster will help him and the team make the transition from Simonds’ long tenure.

“It’s definitely going to be a fresh start,” Bedard said. “We’re losing seven players, and most of the players coming back don’t have much experience. But I think it’s kind of good that way, that we’re all going to start off on the same page.”

Despite the late start, Bedard isn’t completely giving up on this recruiting season, but he said he’s more eager to see his returning players on the court.

“I think it will be more of a molding process this year,” Bedard said. “I think if a coach comes in and says he wants to play a certain way and he hasn’t seen his players and their strengths and weaknesses, he’s not going to have a good situation. I think the players understand that what’s in their interest is my main interest.”

Bedard’s next step will be hiring a coaching staff. He expects to meet with athletic director David Roussel today to discuss the hiring of assistants.

“The original game plan is for two part-time assistants,” he said. “I’ve had a few phone calls (from interested parties), but that’s something I’m still trying to map out.”

Bedard takes over the St. Joseph’s program with two years experience as an assistant coach at the University of Maine. He played professionally in Portugal for a year in between two separate one-year stints on John Giannini’s staff in Orono.

His hiring came under criticism in a Portland newspaper last week by a graduating player who sat on the committee charged with finding a replacement for Simonds. The former player, Travis Seaver, cited Bedard’s lack of experience. Bedard beat out two former St. Joseph’s assistants, Rob Sanicola and Brent Cook, who were the other two finalists for the job.

Roussel said Bedard “came across as having a great deal of integrity and character” during the interviewing process.

“I think Andy has been around the college environment enough, and he’s qualified enough,” Roussel said. “He’s going to do a very good job here at St. Joseph’s. He’s ready for this challenge.”

Bedard said he felt he was ready to take a head-coaching job about halfway through last season, when he was on the Maine bench. He believes he has the full support of the remaining players, the athletic and academic staff and the campus community at St. Joe’s.

“Some people are going to say things that aren’t necessarily true because they’ve had previous relationships here, and I can understand that it’s a delicate situation,” he said. “It might take a little time, but I’m confident in my work ethic that this thing will be all good.”

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