LISBON — Zach Longyear has enjoyed a recurring theme of right-place, right-time throughout his adult life.

His college, the University of Maine at Farmington, was a perfect fit for his career choice (education) and his spare time pursuits (snowboarding).

The school that provided his student teaching experience, Winslow High School, promptly offered him a job that he kept for a decade.

And when it was time to grow into his first administrative job, Longyear found a familiar face and a community with a proven record of on-field excellence and behind-the-scenes support of its athletes and coaches.

Longyear, 32, is the new co-curricular director and assistant principal at Lisbon High School.

He took over the position in July, replacing Chris Moreau of Turner, who resigned to take the same post at Dirigo High School.

“It has been a whirlwind,” Longyear said. “But that’s the best way to do it. Jump right into it.”

Longyear previously was an English teacher, junior varsity soccer coach and drama club advisor at Winslow.

During that time, he had a chance to meet Lisbon principal Ken Healey.

“I had done an accreditation visit with him. It was someone I knew I could work with and it seemed like a good fit,” Longyear said. “And it is a good fit. I’m super excited.”

Lisbon is home to multiple state championship teams in football, wrestling and cross country over the last 10 years.

The track and field, baseball, softball, field hockey and girls’ basketball programs all are familiar faces in the postseason.

And few if any schools in the tri-county region boast the Greyhounds’ institutional memory on their athletic staff. Dick Mynahan, Dean Hall, Hank Fuller and Mark Stevens alone account for more than 100 years of coaching.

“There is a tradition of excellence. There’s a lot of experience. There’s a lot of leadership from coaches, faculty and students,” Longyear said. “It’s kind of a perfect storm of elements. There are phenomenal opportunities not just for athletes. They have successful programs in things like Science Olympiad and drama.”

Longyear graduated from Portland High School in 1997 and UMF in 2001.

He lives in Smithfield, near Skowhegan. For now, working at Lisbon will require a round trip of more than two hours each day.

At his home away from home, Longyear’s goal is for teachers and students to get to know him quickly.

“I just want to become part of the team that’s already here. I hope to be in the classrooms quite a bit,” Longyear said. “I was a teacher for a long time, and I want to let the kids know that I’m here and that I’m available to help them be successful.”

koakes@sunjournal.com

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