With only 10 days left before the start of the regular season, Orono High School administrators are scrambling to find a replacement for David Paul, who resigned his job as boys varsity coach Monday.

“We have nothing real specific yet. We’re hoping to have something in place by Monday or so,” said acting Orono athletic director Bob Lucy.

Paul, who cited philosophical differences with the administration, decided to resign rather than be forced to retain all players who tried out for varsity on either the freshman or JV teams.

“I have a lot of respect for Dave. I’m disappointed that he’s not coaching. We would have loved to have him continue coaching with us,” Lucy said.

Paul, who was a three-sport standout for Orono High in the late 1970’s, coached the Red Riots to a 64-39 record in his five seasons and led them to three straight Eastern Maine championship appearances (1994-96) before finally winning the East B title in 1996. Paul’s squads reached the tournament in four of his five seasons.

Lucy, who is helping run the boys practices with JV coach Steve Coombs and Orono principal and girls varsity coach Steve Gardner, wouldn’t say how many candidates are being considered to replace Paul.

“We want to find the best-qualified person we can while working with a short time frame,” said Lucy.

Some of the names to surfaced as possible replacements have University of Maine connections: T.J. Maines, the son of former Morse of Bath coach Tom Maines and a manager on the UM men’s team; UM assistant baseball coach Jay Kemble; and former UM player Paul Cook, who reportedly took himself out of the running. Longtime Riots sports booster Paul Means may also be a candidate.

Whoever takes over, they can count on Paul’s help and support.

“I’m really not interested in making this thing harder than it is right now,” said Paul, who is a special education tech at Orono. “I would certainly be more than willing to give them anything they needed.”

Paul has logged more than 40 supportive calls from fellow coaches the last three days.

“I’ve talked to a lot of coaches. I’m not really sure exactly how many have called,” said Paul. “It’s just nice to know there are people out there in your corner.”

Paul, who also coaches Old Town’s varsity baseball team, says he’s not closing the door on coaching basketball again.

“It hasn’t soured me at all. Coaching is something I’ve been around a long time and I enjoy doing it,” he said. “If something came up and it was a situation that was good for me, I’d be interested.”