LEWISTON – When Brian Laramee invited participants of his girls’ summer basketball program to his home for a cookout in July, it was intended to be a celebration of the completed summer hoop season. It wasn’t until the day before that he realized he’d be announcing his resignation instead.

Laramee resigned the girls’ varsity coaching job at Lewiston to take the Dean of Students/Athletic Director position at Buckfield. Laramee was offered the job July 30 and had to tell his girls the following day.

“I had 40-plus players coming to my house for a cookout on the 31st,” said Laramee. That’s when I told the girls. That was difficult. Professionally, it was the right thing to do, but it’s hard not coaching.”

That leaves the head coaching job at Lewiston vacant. Athletic Director Jason Fuller has already hired new winter varsity coaches in hockey, swimming and boys’ basketball and has posted the opening for the girls’ job.

“It’s a good opportunity for him,” said Fuller. “The program was going in the right direction. It’s unfortunate for us and for the girls, but I appreciate what he did for us. He’s a great guy, and I’m happy for him.”

Laramee taught Biology at Gardiner High School the last seven years. When he saw the opening at Buckfield, it was an opportunity that seemed right. He had been taking classes in preparation for just such career move. Buckfield was looking to fill a vacancy left by Mike Jack, who took the athletic director’s job at Winthrop.

“It was something that really stuck out because it was a small school and was an opportunity to get my feet under me,” said Laramee. “It seemed like a good fit.”

Laramee graduated from Mountain Valley High School and earned a degree in Biology at the University of Maine at Farmington. While at Gardiner, he got involved in coaching. He coached the JV girls’ basketball team for five years before taking the head coaching job at Messalonskee. Despite having a 13-5 regular season and a promising Eagles team returning, Laramee jumped at the opening at Lewiston, which was closer to home.

The Blue Devils went 0-18 his first year and 1-17 last year. He was pleased with what he saw during this summer and was encouraged by the progress in the program. He had middle school players and incoming freshmen all working with the varsity. He was excited to see their commitment and determination.

“The desire for the girls to improve was definitely coming along,” said Laramee.

The summer program had completed its game schedule and only had a team and family gathering left. After a quick hiring process late in July, Laramee was offered the Buckfield job the day before the cookout. The following day, he took varsity players aside and broke the news to them. Then he explained the decision to their parents.

“It was hard for me,” said Laramee. “The last few years have been real positive. They worked real hard, and I’ve been able to establish some real positive relationships.”

He was also an assistant with the state championship football team at Gardiner. So not being able to coach this fall has been difficult this week.

“To see the picture in the paper of the first practice, it’s hard,” said Laramee. “Being the Dean of students and Athletic Director, it doesn’t allow me to coach at all.”

He’s already immersed in the activities of the athletic director at Buckfield, but his role will expand as the year evolves.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get my feet under me as the athletic director. As school begins, I’ll get more used to the dean of students job. That will be a different role as we go along.”

Fuller says the hiring process for a replacement is ongoing.

“Since he just resigned, we’re going to sit for a while and see what we get for an applicant pool,” said Fuller. “Then we’ll review them in mid September.”