June 2, 2010
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Whitehead Gets 3-Year Extension
CHN Staff Report
ORONO, Maine — Maine coach Tim Whitehead officially reached terms with the school on a three-year contract extension. The school had announced in April that it was working on a deal with Whitehead, after Maine finished with its best season since 2007.
The deal keeps him on board through 2013-14.
“I am confident that under Tim’s leadership, our team will continue to compete for conference and NCAA championships,” Maine athletic director Blake James said. “Tim understands the balance of athletics, academics and the importance of developing the young men within our program. He appreciates and understands the culture of Maine Hockey, and is the right person to lead our program.”
Whitehead will make approximately $170,000 annually.
Whitehead is 199-126-36 in nine years as head coach of the Black Bears. He has led Maine to six NCAA Tournament appearances and four Frozen Fours, the last coming in 2007. Whitehead’s .625 NCAA Tournament winning percentage ranks third among all active NCAA Division I coaches. In 2002, he earned the Spencer Penrose Trophy as the Division I National Coach of the Year.
Whitehead first came to Maine to help then-coach Shawn Walsh, who was undergoing treatment for cancer. Walsh passed away prior to the 2001-02 season, and Whitehead took over. Prior to coming to Maine, Whitehead was head coach at Massachusetts-Lowell. Overall, he is 275-221-47 in 14 years as a head coach.
This past season, Maine finished 19-17-3 and fell in overtime to eventual National Champion Boston College in the Hockey East Championship game. Maine led the nation in power play percentage (27.7 percent).
“Our team took a good step forward last season, and we are excited to build on that progress again this season,” Whitehead said.
