AUBURN – Edward Little High School is looking for a new girls’ basketball coach for the third time in the last four years.
Jim Ladd was informed recently that he would not be back as the Red Eddies varsity coach. EL athletic director Dan Deshaies said Monday that a decision was made to look for new candidates.
“We decided to open up the position and look at our options,” said Deshaies.
Deshaies simply said that a desire for change was the impetus for the move.
“We wanted to reevaluate the program and get it going in a positive direction,” said Deshaies.
Ladd had coached the program for the last two seasons. He admits he was surprised and disappointed with the decision. He said he was not unaware until recently of any dissatisfaction in the program.
“I felt as though we had turned the corner with nine returnees coming back,” said Ladd. “I was looking forward to next year.
“I felt the overall program is in good shape, including the addition of the summer program.”
Ladd had compiled a 6-30 record with a young squad the last two years. That was after Bob Fallon had taken over the program for a season.
Ladd had coached the freshman girls at EL for one year and was a JV coach for six seasons. He had also coached the JV boys at Oxford Hills for six years.
The numbers have been down at EL, and Ladd reestablished the summer program the last two years to change that trend.
Ladd said he was informed of the decision earlier in the month. He met with the players and informed them of the change soon thereafter.
“It was an emotional meeting,” said Ladd. “The players were very disappointed with the decision.”
The job opening has just recently been posted. Deshaies says he has not received any applications yet, but hopes to make progress with the hire soon.
“We’ll see what we get for applications, and we’ll go from there,” he said. “We’re going to move on it fairly soon.”
Ladd says he would like to coach again at some point but has not made any decisions about his immediate coaching plans.
“I wish the best for the person coming into the program and hope the girls succeed in the future,” said Ladd.
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