Maine Fires Ted Woodward

The University of Maine bought out the contract of head coach Ted Woodward effective immediately, athletic director Karlton Creech announced today.

“I would like to thank Ted for his 18 years of service to the University of Maine, first as an assistant coach and then a head coach,” said Creech in a statement. “Ted’s commitment to the University of Maine and its student-athletes — both athletically and academically — have been the trademark of his tenure here.”

Woodward went 98-167 in 10 seasons after replacing Dr. John Giannini who left the school for La Salle in the summer of 2004. He signed his contract extension in September 2011, a new deal which would run until June 2016.

The school will pay Woodward about $113,800 over the next 13 months in order to buy out his remaining two seasons and also said they will use no public funds to pay the former coach.

“We have had some things go against us this year, and I respect Karlton’s decision,” Woodward said in a statement. “The program, and what is best for the program, is always the most important element.”

This season’s prospects went sideways when after last season’s leading scorer Justin Edwards transferred to Kansas State and Alasdair Fraser left to play pro basketball overseas. Those moves forced Woodward to play the 26th youngest roster in the country. Their flaws were apparent as a team that played fast, but allowed just under 83 points per game.

Six victories for the Black Bears is the lowest number since the school finished 6-16 during the 1956-57 season. Maine’s last America East tournament victory came during the 2005 season.

Sophomore Dimitry Coronel was released from his scholarship on March 27 and since transferred to Bryant. He was third on the team with 10.4 points per game and started 21 of the 26 games he played in and won two America East Player of the Week awards throughout the season.

Last week third team All-America East junior Xavier Pollard announced his intent to transfer as well for his final season Of eligibility.

Ryan Restivo covers the America East conference and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for Big Apple Buckets. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanarestivo or contact Ryan at rrestivo[at]nycbuckets.com.