University of Maine athletic director Patrick Nero said he hopes to have a women’s ice hockey coach named “by early June” and ready to start on July 1.

Rick Filighera, who directed the program since its varsity inception in 1997, did not have his contract renewed.

Nero said the seven-member search committee, chaired by Dr. Mary Rumpho-Kennedy, will hold its first meeting Thursday.

“We want somebody who has at least five to 10 years of coaching experience and we would prefer somebody who has a little bit of understanding of the University of Maine,” said Nero. “We prefer someone who understands that the academics and community [involvement] are most important but they must also have a competitiveness inside them.

“We are one of the top 10-funded programs in the country and we want the coach to make it a top 10 program over time, three to five years down the road,” added Nero, whose program has the maximum 18 scholarships allotted by the NCAA for its men’s and women’s hockey teams.

“Bringing somebody in this late will make this coming year challenging,” Nero added.

Filighera compiled an 86-103-18 record in his seven seasons.

Maine has been in Hockey East the past two seasons. The Bears were 12-15-4 overall and 5-8-2 in Hockey East two years ago and 12-16-4 (9-9-2 HE) this season.

Maine was the third seed for the league tournament each year but lost to New Hampshire 2-0 and Providence 4-2 in the semifinals.

The Bears were outshot 87-32 in those semifinal matches.

The new coach will benefit from an upgraded facility.

Nero said the bid process for the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center at Alfond Arena will begin May 19.

“And we hope to break ground in June. New locker rooms for the men’s and women’s teams are the number one priority,” said Nero.

During the next two years, there will be new coaches offices; new strength-conditioning and training rooms; a player lounge that will serve as a post-game media room; a Hall-of-Fame area and a significantly improved lobby and Bears Necessities merchandise store.