A group of parents and players had opposed the hiring last week of Tim Kane as girls’ basketball coach.
JAY – Little more than a week after he was hired, Tim Kane has stepped down as girls’ basketball coach at Jay High School.
Kane was approved by a 3-2 vote of the Jay School Committee on May 15 to succeed Troy Eastman. After a meeting with players early last week, Kane told Jay administrators that he would not accept the position.
“It was just a situation I didn’t feel comfortable stepping into,” Kane said Friday, “so I withdrew my name.”
Members of the school committee were informed of Kane’s withdrawal Thursday night, but no further action was taken since the board was not in session.
Kane was nominated by Principal Peter Brown, Athletic Director Kenric Charles and teacher/softball coach Steve Hamblin. Kane was selected over two other candidates, including Wilton recreation director Frank Donald.
A group of parents and players tried to block Kane’s nomination and backed Donald.
Kane arranged to meet with some players this week in an attempt to move forward. He subsequently pulled his name from consideration, citing a desire to put the contentious situation behind him.
“It was my decision,” said Kane. “I withdrew my name. I thought it was time to move on.”
Kane was given the opportunity to reconsider but chose to step away.
“I talked to Kenric about it, and he asked if I this was really what I wanted, and I said that it was,” said Kane. “I want to thank Mr. Charles and the hiring committee and the members of the board that voted for me and the parents of the kids that supported me.”
Kane was coming to Jay after being an assistant at the high school and collegiate level. He was the junior varsity coach at Mt. Blue while his brother, Mike, was the varsity coach there. He later was a JV and varsity assistant at Dirigo, where his brother Gavin is head coach.
He was with the Cougars for five years, contributing to the Cougars’ state record of nine straight regional championships. The last two years, Kane assisted Mike at the University of Maine at Augusta.
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