Little more than a year after taking over the Dirigo boys’ basketball program, Dave Gerrish has stepped down as varsity coach.

Gerrish resigned earlier this month because he has taken a job at the Sappi Fine Paper mill in Skowhegan and plans to move to the area. The commute between Skowhegan and Dixfield made staying on with the Cougars unworkable.

It was a short but very successful tenure at Dirigo for Gerrish. Named Gavin Kane’s replacement late last summer, he led the Cougars to their second consecutive Western Class C title. They finished the season at 18-4 after losing the state championship game to Washington Academy, 70-58.

Dirigo graduated all five of its starters last spring, but still expects to have a strong enough nucleus back to compete in the Mountain Valley Conference.

Gerrish could not be reached for comment. Dirigo athletic director Charles Swan did not return multiple calls seeking comment.

Gerrish joined Dirigo after spending four seasons at rival Mountain Valley, where he won two regional titles and the 2007 Class B state championship while qualifying for the playoffs each year.

Gerrish’s teams at both Dirigo and Mountain Valley were known for hard-nosed, man-to-man defense, up-tempo offense and the ability to play physical at both ends of the floor.

Prior to coaching the Falcons, Gerrish coached AAU as well as junior varsity programs at both Dirigo and Mountain Valley and area youth programs.