The Rumford native steps down after nine days on the job.
By Sun Journal staff

Nine days after his first official day on the job, Andy Bedard resigned his position as men’s basketball coach and coordinator for intercollegiate athletics at Saint Joseph’s College.

Bedard, a former Mountain Valley High School and University of Maine star guard, stepped down Wednesday after officially taking over the job on May 20.

The school announced Bedard’s resignation Friday, the same day it named Rob Sanicola its new coach and coordinator for intercollegiate athletics.

Sanicola, an assistant basketball coach at the school the last four years and its sports information director the last two years, was one of three finalists for the job before the college announced Bedard’s hiring three weeks ago.

Neither Bedard nor school officials could be reached for comment Friday night, but in a statement from Bedard’s letter of resignation released by the college, Bedard was quoted as saying to school officials Wednesday, “After further evaluation, I feel that the school would be more successful with another candidate. I apologize for any setbacks I have created.”

“The current administration has been very helpful and supportive in this process,” he continued. “I wish Saint Joseph’s nothing but success in the future.”

St. Joseph’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics David Roussel said in the press release from that he was surprised by Bedard’s resignation.

“Andy is a quality person with a bright future and I want to wish him continued success,” Roussel said.

Bedard’s hiring met with some controversy. In a published newspaper report, a former player on the ad hoc committee appointed to select a coaching successor to long-time coach Rick Simonds said Bedard lacked enough experience to take over the program. The player, Travis Seaver, who graduated this year, said the committee did not recommend Bedard’s hiring.

After his first day on the job, Bedard told the Sun Journal he was confident he had the full support of the remaining players, the athletic and academic staff and the college campus.

“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,” Bedard said then. “It might take a little time, but I’m confident in my work ethic that this thing will be all good.”

Sanicola is a 1999 St. Joe’s graduate who played four years for Simonds and was the team captain his senior season before joining Simonds’ coaching staff.

“I couldn’t be happier, or more proud, to be the next head coach at Saint Joseph’s College,” Sanicola said in the college’s press release. “To coach at your alma mater, and at such a quality educational institution like St. Joseph’s with a long and proud history of athletics, is the culmination of a lifelong dream of mine.”

“Rob Sanicola has all the skills and drive to do a great job,” Roussel said in the college’s release. “He will start his new position with a significant amount of experience that will benefit St. Joseph’s College.”