Matt Lash, recently named athletic director at his alma mater, Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro, probably can’t wait until he takes over that job officially in August.

Given his hectic summer, having just one job might seem like a breeze.

First, he’s preparing for his new job from long distance, in Machias, where he served as men’s basketball coach at the University of Maine-Machias for four years until resigning this spring.

Lash is staying in Machias through the end of July to provide continuity to the summer basketball program at UMM, which includes two weeks of camps and the Downeast Summer Basketball League.

“That’s the primary reason for staying here this summer,” he said, “that we’ve developed the program for four years and I didn’t want to see it fold.”

The league is 11 teams strong, Lash said, with two boys teams each from Washington Academy, Woodland and Jonesport-Beals along with teams from Narraguagus, Calais, Lubec, East Grand and Machias.

Games are played Mondays, Wednesdays and occasionally on Sundays, all leading to the league championship game on July 30.

“We’ve got more teams than ever this year,” he said.

When he’s not wielding a whistle, he’s pounding a hammer, spending his free time during the week working construction with Ken Look of East Machias, a local contractor who was one of Lash’s assistant coaches at UMM.

“I’ve been a carpenter for 11 years, and I enjoy doing it, so I’m getting out and pounding some nails when I can,” he said.

And, lastly, he’s helping his replacement at UMM, Randy Lee, get acclimated to his new responsibilities – Lash also was the school’s cross country coach and director of intramurals.

By August, however, Lash will be able to focus on a future that includes nurturing his first child – he and his wife Betsy are expecting in September – as well as guiding the athletics program at Medomak Valley, from which he graduated in 1993.

“I’ve been back and forth every other week to Waldoboro,” he said. “[Outgoing athletic director] Doug Libby has really helped me out a lot. The fall season is all ready to go, as far as scheduling and bus issues.”

One of Lash’s goals is to rejuvenate a Medomak Valley program that has struggled somewhat on the field of play in recent years.

“The commitment to athletics is strong, but we want to get back to winning,” he said. “Everyone needs to raise the bar.”

Littlefield, Hill to lead Eagles

Messalonskee High School in Oakland will have new coaches in football and boys basketball next season.

Wes Littlefield, a former Winslow High football star and an assistant coach at Winslow and Messalonskee for more than a decade, replaces John Hersom as the Eagles’ football coach. Hersom resigned earlier this year after 11 years on the job.

Tom Hill, who guided Winthrop High School to the Western Maine Class C championship in boys basketball last winter, will take over the same post at Messalonskee. Hill already lives within the district (in Sidney) and has two daughters who attend the school.

Hill replaces Jim Pettis, who was not rehired.

Ernie Clark may be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net