Winkin new Husson assistant

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BANGOR – Thirteen days after declaring he was ready to go on and would be ready “if anybody is looking for a coach,” John Winkin is back in the coaching business.

The outgoing University of Maine baseball coach, whose contract was not renewed June 13 by UM Athletic Director Sue Tyler after 22 years at UMaine, has landed at another college campus – just 12 miles away.

Winkin has accepted a fellowship position at Husson College and will also serve as assistant coach under John Kolasinski.

The 76-year-old Winkin was named Husson’s first Fellow in Sports and Leadership by Husson President Bill Beardsley at a Wednesday press conference.

A veteran of baseball coaching for the past 51 years, Winkin will also serve as the baseball team’s pitching coach.

“I’m really flattered,” said Winkin. “I’m now becoming associated with my third institue of higher learning in the state of Maine.”

When asked about his salary, Winkin said “it’s not really my place to say.” He would say his contract’s term is open-ended and he’ll receive one lump sum each year.

“I’ve been coach, director of athletics, chairman of the department, and full professor at Colby; I came to Maine and was a coach and lecturer; Now I’m invited to join Husson College in perhaps the most dignified and classy way that a person can be invited to join an institution,” Winkin said.

A Duke University graduate and recipient of a doctorate from Columbia University, Winkin will work out of the office of the president and serve as a lay counselor in the college chaplaincy.

He will lecture on the relationship between values, faith, leadership and sports and promote the coaching profession throughout the state and nation as a member of Husson’s staff, according to Beardsley.

“We see this as an opportunity, a platform, from which he can reach out to the Husson community and broader community with some of the qualities he has,” Beardsley explained. “He would very much like to teach and what we’re going to do is look at how he can best fit into our teaching curriculum.

“The areas we’re committed to is his working in the chaplaincy and coaching… and having either a statewide or national presence.”

Particularly, he wants to continue his role on the board of directors of the National Association of Baseball Coaches.

Winkin also brings to the Husson staff a strong Catholic presence – something desired by Beardsley, who said the religious makeup of the school’s student population is roughly 30 percent Catholic, 30 percent Protestant, and 30 percent evangelical.

The Rev. Robert Carlson, college chaplain, also attended the press conference.

“I have the greatest admiration for Dr. Winkin whose extraordinary career is intertwined with a deep commitment to his faith,” Carlson said.

Winkin’s arrival at the Bangor campus capped a whirlwind span of 24 hours in which he was first offered the positions on a slip of paper offered by Beardsley at a rotary luncheon on Tuesday.

“He said `May I join you?’ and handed me this slip of paper. He said `If you like it, let me know,’ ” Winkin said. “When I got that piece of paper… I knew I wanted to do this. You know, it’s nice to be wanted.”

The seed was really planted, according to Winkin and Kolasinski, when the two travelled together along with UMaine assistant coach Jay Kemble to New Brunswick for a baseball clinic 10 days ago.

“I merely suggested to JK that I volunteer as head groundskeeper and he thought that sounded good,” joked Winkin.

The conversation soon turned serious and, once Kolasinski confirmed Winkin’s interest in taking an assistant coaching position, the two talked about Winkin joining Husson for a week.

When Beardsley heard of Winkin’s interest, he got the idea of broadening Winkin’s scope of duties with the fellowship.

Neither Winkin nor Kolasinski see the potential for any friction between them, despite the 46-year age difference between Winkin and his new “boss.”

“We’ve been good friends. We’ve had a lot of fun together and he’s going to be fun to work with. I’m completely at ease. He’s the boss,” said Winkin. “I think the position I have serves as no threat to anybody. I’m helping out.”

“If this was three or four years ago, I’d say yes, I’d feel funny having him as my assistant,” said the 30-year-old Kolasinski, who played ball at Husson. “But no, I don’t think I’ll be intimidated. He has his responsibilites, I have mine.”

Husson assistant Frank Peckham will remain on the staff as the hitting coach.

Kolasinski thinks hiring Winkin gives his program an advantage over rivals in terms of recruiting, preparation, and scouting.

“I think it gives us an edge. That’s one of the reasons I wanted coach to come on in and help us out,” Kolasinski explained. “The man knows pitching and he’s a recognized name. When he goes to see a game, hopefully that’s going to entice a guy to come play for us.”

Winkin, who is still under contract at UMaine until Aug. 31, said he plans to fulfill his responsibilites to Maine while also taking on his new role at Husson.

Winkin also plans to continue to hold baseball clinics and camps.