The University of Maine is on the verge of announcing a new head baseball coach, possibly as early as today.

One of his first duties will be trying to fill the void left by the Black Bears’ ace pitcher.

Steve Richard, who compiled a 13-3 record during his two seasons in Orono, confirmed Tuesday he is transferring to perennial national power Clemson University in South Carolina for the fall semester.

Richard, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound righthander from Billerica, Mass., said he began contemplating leaving after UMaine head coach Paul Kostacopoulos and assistant Scott Friedholm left in June to take similar positions at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

“I was devastated when I found out they were leaving,” Richard said Tuesday. “I really liked them as coaches and as people. I never would have even thought of leaving [if they had stayed at UMaine].”

With his baseball future in doubt, Richard began making inquiries with other schools this summer while playing for the Chatham A’s in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League.

“Clemson, I thought, was a really good choice,” said Richard, who last month received a release from UMaine that will allow him to transfer and be eligible to play immediately.

“It seems like a perfect opportunity,” he explained. “They’re in the ACC [Atlantic Coast Conference], which is a great conference, and if I can do well against teams like that, I think it will help me out in the future.”

Richard was the mainstay of the staff in 2005 as UMaine won the America East championship and competed in the NCAA Regional at Oxford, Miss. He compiled a 9-1 record with a 2.07 earned run average, striking out 90 and walking 44 in 100 innings. He allowed only one home run.

Leaving UMaine is bittersweet for Richard, who was named to the America East and All-New England second teams this year after earning AE All-Rookie accolades in 2004.

“Maine baseball is great baseball,” he said. “I loved it there and I loved all my teammates. I still feel bad leaving the guys.”

Richard said Clemson’s reputation, facilities, and coaching staff, headed by UMaine grad Jack Leggett, were too much to pass up as he continues to pursue an eventual professional career.

“[Leggett] reminded me a lot of coach Kosty,” Richard said.

Clemson went 43-23 last season and finished the season ranked No. 13 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 14 by Baseball America. The Tigers earned their 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, losing to Baylor in the Super Regional at Waco, Texas.

Clemson graduates only one of the 12 pitchers who saw action in 2005, but Richard believes he can fit in.

“I wouldn’t go there if I didn’t think I was going to be a top guy,” Richard said, “but there are no guarantees at a school like that.”

This summer, Richard made eight appearances for Chatham, going 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA with 27 hits, 37 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 46 innings.

“That was the best summer of my life,” said Richard, who also enjoyed time spent at the beach and with his host family.

Richard admitted he won’t miss pitching in the cold.

“The weather’s the worst, but I absolutely loved being up there,” he said. “I had a good experience up there.”

Among the candidates to take over as UMaine’s No. 1 pitcher next season will be senior righties Greg Norton of South Portland (9-4, 3.15 ERA in 2005) and Troy Martin (8-2, 4.02).

BDN writer Larry Mahoney also contributed to this story.