ORONO – A few individuals have used the University of Maine as a stepping stone along their collegiate coaching journey.
But the Cheshire-cat-like grin exhibited by new baseball coach Steve Trimper told a different story Thursday.
“I have some big shoes to follow in with some of the coaches who have been here,” Trimper said. “I fully intend to try to break some of the win records over the course of my years here.”
With Trimper taking aim at the mark of 642 victories set by Dr. John Winkin during 22 seasons, the Black Bears baseball program looks to remain a haven of stability on the Orono campus.
Maine’s interim athletic director Blake James introduced Trimper as Maine’s 24th baseball coach, but fourth since 1957. Trimper replaces Paul Kostacopoulos, who resigned after nine seasons to coach at the Naval Academy.
Trimper, 35, comes to Maine from Manhattan College, where he was head coach for seven seasons. His teams have won at least 20 games every year, with a career-best mark of 32-19 in 2002.
James said he had a large pool of candidates, including several current Division I coaches. Four were brought in for interviews.
Looking at the pictures of the several Major League Baseball players produced by Maine, which are displayed on the walls of Palmer Lounge in the Mahaney Baseball Clubhouse, Trimper said he had “goosebumps just being in this room.” His passion and enthusiasm were evident as he described his vision for Maine’s baseball program.
“Wow,” he said. “This is one of the premier programs in the country,” he said. “I’m not just talking New England. I’m talking country.
“Maine is always one of those teams that is at the top of the conference year in and year out,” he said. “That’s our job, to get into the conference tournament, win that thing and just go as far as you can go in the regionals. I’m an optimist. I think we can shoot for the moon.”
Married with twin daughters, Trimper was raised in New Jersey and played college ball at both Elon College in North Carolina and Eastern Connecticut, where he was a member of the 1990 NCAA Div. III national champions. He served as an assistant coach at both Wentworth College and Vermont before taking over the Manhattan program in 1999. His career mark at Manhattan is 172-174-2, including a 27-21 season in 2005.
Trimper, who had yet to meet or talk with any of Maine’s returning players Thursday morning, said he was planning on spending the rest of the day on his cell phone to introduce himself to his squad.
Keeping Maine’s top players in state is critical, he said, emphasizing more than once that he needed to start building some bridges.
“I have a great list of kids in a 500-mile radius,” Trimper said. “I want to get into the 100-mile radius. I’m going to try to get out to things right away.”
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