Ballinger ends long run at Maine, Lech takes over

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It’s appropriate that the University of Maine coach with the longest tenure would be in charge of the track and field program.

Jim Ballinger’s marathon run as UMaine’s head indoor and outdoor track coach ended Monday with his official announcement that he was retiring after 33 years and 66 seasons. The 1966 UMaine graduate will stay on with his alma mater, however, as a part-time assistant coach.

“The time is right,” the 62-year-old Ballinger said. “I’ve been here a long time and we have the opportunity to continue the program in the right direction with the right people already in place.”

The primary right person is Mark Lech, who has been UMaine’s assistant track and head cross country coach the last eight years.

Now Lech, 50, can take the “assistant” portion off his title.

“I’ll definitely be a busy boy,” Lech said. “I just want to continue the good work Jim’s done through the years and hopefully leave it better than I found it. I want to make this the place to come for Maine student-athletes.”

And how do you make it a desired destination?

“You do that by trying to put a great product out there and make it a successful one students want to come be a part of,” Lech explained.

Lech joined the staff in 1998 as assistant coach for all three teams after spending the previous 15 years as a coach or student-athlete at Northeastern University.

Even back when he was hired, Lech knew he would eventually be succeeding Ballinger as only the fourth track and field coach in UMaine’s history.

“Jim and I actually talked about me eventually taking over for him,” Lech said.

“It’s not often you can hire someone you really like who is also the best man for the job, and available,” said Ballinger, who’ll coach sprinters and hurdlers.

“It will make the transition a lot easier for me having Jim stay on,” said Lech, who also confirmed that another full-time assistant will be hired eventually and join Rolland Ranson.

“The paperwork is in progress,” Lech said. “I have someone in mind, but it’s too early to tell if it will work out.”

Lech was a two-time All-American and placed second and third in the 800-meter run nationally while running for the Huskies in 1978 and 1977, respectively. As NU’s head cross country coach, Lech led the Huskies to 10 conference championships.

Lech has led the Black Bears to one America East men’s cross country title (2004) as well as a runner-up finish (2002).

“I think we’re just striving to maintain the success we’ve had in cross country and elevate the track programs as well,” Lech said of his long-term goals for Maine’s track and field programs.

Ballinger, a native of Woodbury, N.J., joined UMaine’s coaching staff in 1968. He became head cross country coach in 1973, head women’s indoor track coach when the program was started in 1976, head women’s outdoor coach in 1981 (again, the first year of the program), and took over as men’s head track and field coach in 1987, succeeding 30-year veteran Ed Styrna.

Ballinger was named North Atlantic Conference coach of the year twice in cross country (1992 and 1994) and once in outdoor track (1995). He coached the 1992 men’s cross country and men’s indoor teams to Eastern Collegiate titles and the 2003 women’s track team to a New England championship.

“We’ve had runners in Olympic trials, New England champions, conference titles and a lot of success over the years,” said Ballinger. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done with the resources we’ve had. It’s really gratifying.”

UMaine makes staff transition

The UMaine football team made a handful of coaching changes during the offseason with the departure of defensive coordinator Rich Nagy to Murray State (Ky.), defensive line coach Jeff Comissiong to Harvard and secondary coach Ky Cowan to Stony Brook.

Head coach Jack Cosgrove has made fifth-year man Robb Smith the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, helping minimize any major changes within the defensive scheme.

“I’ve always been a big believer in that aspect, that continuity is good, loyalty is good,” Cosgrove said. “To be able to look up and see somebody of a familiar nature in front of you is important to the players.”

Former UMaine receiver Dwayne Wilmot is on board as the defensive line coach after two seasons under former Bears coach Matt Griffin at Tennessee-Martin. Syracuse graduate Andy Rondeau has joined the staff as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. He comes to Orono after working three seasons as the assistant defensive coordinator at Division I-A Buffalo.

“I think we’ve been able to replace them [Nagy and Comissiong] with two outstanding football coaches in coach Rondeau and coach Wilmot,” Cosgrove said.

Also, Mike Winslow will help out with the secondary after two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Thiel College (Pa.).

UMaine continues to rely on the expertise of associate head coach Bob Wilder, a former Bears quarterback who is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Waterville native Brian Scott, in his third season with the program, handles the offensive line and is the recruiting coordinator.

Kevin Bourgoin will reprise his role as the pass game coordinator and receivers coach, while Michael Zyskowski (running backs) and Brian Dickison (defensive line) are in their second season on the staff.

Familiar face in Ohio

Several members of the UMaine football contingent will encounter a familiar face during Saturday’s game at Youngstown State.

Antoine Smith, a former defensive lineman and assistant coach with the Bears, is a first-year defensive line coach with the Penguins.

Smith played at UMaine from 1996-99 and was a three-year starter for Cosgrove at defensive tackle. He also spent the 2003 season as a defensive line coach with the Bears.

Bears’ first foe opens with win

UMaine’s first football opponent, Youngstown State, opened its season last Thursday with a 51-21 home victory over Division II Slippery Rock.

The Penguins, ranked eighth in this week’s Sports Network Division I-AA Top 25 poll, scored 23 unanswered points in the second half to pull away.

YSU has won eight straight on its home field at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Bears and Penguins last met in 1990 with the Penguins winning 38-17.