UM-Machias names Lee hoop coach

Randy Lee, who guided the Orono High School boys basketball team to an Eastern Maine Class B tournament berth last winter, is returning to the collegiate ranks as the new men’s basketball coach at the University of Maine at Machias.

Lee, 30, signed a contract Monday to replace Matt Lash, who resigned after coaching the Clippers for the past two seasons.

Lee was one of approximately 20 applicants for the post and one of three finalists who had on-campus interviews, according to UMM athletic director Bob Hepler.

“I’m really sure he’ll be a great fit for the campus and the community,” Hepler said. “He has an unabashed enthusiasm for the job and is just such a friendly person. People here are really going to take a shine to him.”

Lee brings considerable college coaching experience to his new job. Before his one year at Orono High School, he served stints as an assistant at the University of Maine, Centenary College in Louisiana and Towson (Md.) University. He also spent time as video coordinator for the University of Miami basketball program.

“I really enjoyed working at the high school level, but I’m probably more comfortable at the college level and am looking forward to getting back into the recruiting part of it,” said Lee, who also will coach men’s and women’s cross country and work with the college’s intramural program.

Lee led Orono to an 11-9 record last winter, earning the eighth seed in Eastern Maine Class B. The Red Riots edged Hermon 54-52 in preliminary-round play before being ousted in the quarterfinals by top-ranked Camden Hills 55-50 in overtime.

“I was very pleased with what Randy did for us,” said Orono athletic director Mike Archer, whose school is advertising for Lee’s replacement. “When you have a new coach with a new system there are going to be growing pains. Our kids had to make some adjustments, but they learned a great deal. We were a better basketball team under Randy.”

At UMM Lee will inherit a team that finished 11-16 overall and 8-8 in the Sunrise Conference last season, and features several key returning players led by juniors Gary Dussard, Phil Munroe and Chujor Chujor.

“”I look at UMM as a sleeping giant,” Lee said. “We’ve got a good nucleus coming back, and I’m excited about working with them.”