Barely a year ago, Phil Emery was at a professional crossroads.

He had finally decided to retire from teaching after 38 years in Bangor schools and was contemplating giving up his duties as the coach of the Bangor boys swim team.

When Bangor won the 2007 Class A state championship, Emery could have chosen to go out on top.

Instead, one of the most successful high school coaches in Maine history – in any sport – elected to continue coaching for a 39th season.

On Monday, Emery directed the Rams to their 23rd Class A state crown.

After making his traditional victory underwater swim – the length of UMaine’s Stanley Wallace pool – Emery was again asked about his coaching future. This time, his answer came easily.

“I’m not retiring,” said the 61-year-old Emery, who in the past had let a month pass before making his decision.

“I waited a month a year ago because, at some point, you want to leave when you still know who the hell you are,” joked the 1964 Bangor High graduate.

Emery recently explained retiring from teaching allowed him to retain more energy for coaching. He has always enjoyed going to the pool, but now feels reinvigorated.

Emery is committed to leading the Bangor boys into the future.

“I’m not going to do it a year at a time,” said Emery, quickly pointing out Bangor coaching appointments are for only one year. “I’ll do it until whenever. It could be a year. It could be 10 years.”

With his teams having won back-to-back state titles, Emery has erased any reservations that might have existed after Bangor finished no higher than fifth the previous three seasons.

Over the years, he has heard comments about outstanding coaches, in other sports who were criticized for hanging on too long. Whether the criticism was justified or not, Emery didn’t want to be the subject of such remarks.

The Rams’ 2007 championship helped remind him that he has plenty of good years left and this year’s title reinforced that thought.

“I think we have done well enough,” said Emery, the most successful swim coach in Maine history.

pwarner@bangordailynews.net

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