Husson’s Whiting resigns> Team vote precedes coach’s decision

Shannon Whiting, who was the NAIA District 5, Western Maine Athletic Conference, and MAIAW Coach of the Year two years ago, resigned as the Husson College women’s softball coach last Friday.

“It was for personal reasons more than anything else. It was her own decision,” said Husson Athletic Director Pam Hennessey, who is coaching the Bangor-based team until she can find an interim coach later this week.

The Husson team, which is 13-2 and off to one of its best starts ever, had met with Hennessey last week and asked her to relieve Whiting.

Senior first baseman Amy Dyer, one of the captains, said the decision to ask for Whiting’s ouster came after a “close vote” among team members.

“A lot of people had a lot of different perspectives on her,” said Dyer. “Some of us thought she was a great coach and others thought she did things in a negative way. I have all the respect in the world for her.

“But we stuck together as a team and made the decision as a team,” added Dyer. “She gave everything she had to softball. But, for her own sake, she needed to step down. She thought it would be best for the team.”

After the vote, Hennessey conferred with Whiting, who opted to resign.

Whiting, who will stay on as facilities manager at Husson, could not be reached for comment.

Whiting, who had been the assistant softball coach under Hennessey for five years prior to becoming the head coach, compiled a 64-28 record in her three-plus seasons at Husson.

Hennessey said the timing of the resignation makes her task a difficult one.

“To replace a coach in midseason is very tough. You don’t have a lot of time or a lot of choices, probably,” said Hennessey. “But, at the same time, when people are in coaching and they have reasons to get done, you honor that. Our concern for people here is first and foremost.”

Hennessey said there has been a “lot of interest” in the position and she intends to have an interim coach before the team plays a doubleheader at Elms College in Chicopee, Mass. on Saturday. She will then open up a search for a coach after the season.

Husson will host the NAIA Northeast Regional at the Union Street Field in Bangor next month.