Boston Celtics coach Jim O’Brien said after a rookie free-agent tryout that he wished he could put Andy Bedard’s mind and heart into every one of his players.

The 26-year-old Bedard now will put those attributes, and all his basketball experience, to work as a head coach.

The Rumford native on Friday was named the men’s basketball coach and coordinator for intercollegiate athletics at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish. He replaces Rick Simonds, who resigned the position last month after 23 seasons directing the Monks.

“I’m excited about it,” said Bedard, considered one of the best point guards ever to play at the University of Maine. “It’s going to be a great opportunity to work with a program that has a great tradition.”

Saint Joseph’s athletic director David Roussel is pleased to have Bedard on board.

“Andy will bring a great work ethic, enthusiasm and new ideas to the athletic department and the men’s basketball program,” Roussel said in a statement. “Not only does he have a wealth of basketball experience, he has earned the respect of high school and college coaches in Maine and New England and will successfully recruit top student-athletes to Saint Joseph’s College.”

Bedard heads to Standish with two seasons of Division I coaching experience. He served as an assistant under UMaine coach John Giannini during the 2000-01 and 2002-03 seasons, playing professionally in Portugal in between those stints.

In addition to his coaching duties, Bedard will oversee academic support and community outreach for all student-athletes, including summer camps and service projects.

Giannini is thrilled Bedard has become a head coach.

“He was an extremely intelligent player on the floor and he’s carried that over into being an extremely intelligent basketball coach,” Giannini said. “He’s off the charts as a person and as a coach. He’s way ahead of where most people would be at this stage of his career.”

In Saint Joseph’s, Bedard inherits one of the region’s most successful small-college programs. Saint Joseph’s, which has a difficult road to postseason as an NCAA Division III independent, graduated six of its top players from last season but is expected to have eight or nine players back in the fold.

“There are some challenges I’m looking forward to attacking,” Bedard said. “I’m excited to get an opportunity to work with a great group of guys and hopefully we’ll all learn from each other.”

Bedard moved into the coaching profession after an impressive college career that included two seasons at Boston College, then two at UMaine. The 6-foot-1 guard set the school record with 181 assists as a junior, then improved it to 193 in his final season.

“I think I’ve always wanted to be a coach,” said Bedard, whose role as a point guard often made him a “coach” on the floor. He credited Giannini and UMaine assistant Ted Woodward with helping him learn the coaching craft.

“Both those guys have impacted my style and my goals toward coaching,” Bedard said.

Bedard, a two-time, All-America East first-team selection, helped spark the Black Bears to a 43-16 record during his two seasons in Orono. He earned a B.S. in sociology in 2000.

During 2001-02, Bedard played professional ball in Portugal, where he also coached and organized youth basketball camps.

As a schoolboy, Bedard spearheaded Mountain Valley High of Rumford to the 1994 Class B basketball state championship. He was named to the NEWS All-Maine first team that same year. He was a third-team choice in 1993.

After graduation, Bedard did a postgraduate year at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, where he served as a team captain. He then signed to play at BC, where he was on two teams that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

UM Blue-White football today

The University of Maine football team will cap off its spring season today with the annual Blue-White scrimmage.

The action begins at 5 p.m. on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium in Orono, where the Black Bear offense will butt heads with the defensive unit.

The game gives the players a final opportunity to stake their early claim to a spot on the depth chart heading into the 2003 season, which begins in August. Among the most hotly contested positions this spring are pivotal spots – quarterback, inside linebacker and free safety.

Chris Legree, Jon Meczywor and Ron Whitcomb are the three quarterback candidates to replace graduating Jake Eaton. Fred Lazo, Agean Robinson and Matt King are contending for playing time at ILB, where All-American Stephen Cooper and Rob Kierstead were mainstays.

With David Cusano graduating, Alex Goyins and converted tailback James Henry are looking to earn playing time at free safety.

Youth football day set today

As part of today’s football activities, UMaine also is holding Black Bear Football Youth Day beginning at noon on Morse Field. Youngsters will have the chance to work on their football skills under the direction of UMaine players and coaches.

They also will receive a tour of the UMaine football locker room and the Alfond Stadium press box. An autograph session and cookout also will be held.