Jared Browne resigned as boys basketball coach at Winslow High School, saying it was time to move on and that he would “pursue other coaching opportunities.”
“I didn’t think I’d be a high school coach forever. It was something I was considering,” Browne said. “I would have liked to move on at some point, and I think that this is a new opportunity to move on and pursue other coaching opportunities. We’ll see what’s out there.”
When reached Tuesday, Winslow athletic director Jim Bourgoin confirmed the resignation but wouldn’t comment further.
Browne joins Lawrence girls coach John Donato, who is retiring, as prominent area basketball coaches leaving their teams. Browne said his decision was influenced by some disagreements with Bourgoin and principal Chad Bell on how the program would be run, but didn’t elaborate further.
“We had some different views on the future of the program,” he said. “I decided to resign after that.”
Browne said he met with school officials after school Monday, then submitted his resignation Tuesday morning. He did not comment on whether or not he arrived at his decision during the season.
Bell couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.
“Eventually I was going to resign and pursue other coaching opportunities,” Browne said. “I think this is a good time to try that.”
In his sixth season with the Black Raiders, Browne led Winslow to a 15-5 record and the quarterfinals of the Class B North tournament. The Raiders never finished out of the postseason in Browne’s tenure, compiling a record of 85-34 and reaching as far as the Eastern Maine Class B final in 2015.
Browne said he is unsure what his next coaching job will be, high school or otherwise, but added that he plans on coaching in time for next season.
“I’m going to take some time off, I’m going to see what’s out there. Take some time to rest and relax, I’ve been coaching pretty much non-stop for 11 years now,” he said. “I definitely see myself coaching somewhere next year. I’m a basketball guy, and that’s what I do.”
Browne said the choice to leave was a difficult one, and that he expects the Black Raiders to remain competitive in his absence.
“The program’s in really good shape. Our feeder program is all on the same page, and I’m really proud of having built that up,” he said. “It was very difficult. But it’s for the best and I look forward to my future opportunities and wish nothing but the best for the kids, for my former players.”
Drew Bonifant — 621-5638
dbonifant@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @dbonifantMTM
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