A wave of resignations is hitting Maine high school basketball

MAINE, USA — High school sports are competitive—and the pressure to win often falls on the shoulders of the coaches. But when expectations become too much, some are deciding to walk away.

Oceanside High School in Rockland is the latest school to see its varsity boys’ basketball coach suddenly resign. Larry Reed joins two others—Chris Bryant from John Bapst and Carl Parker from Brewer High School—who have also recently stepped down.

“The first word that comes to my mind is probably shock,” Jim Seavey, Westbrook High School’s boys’ basketball coach, said.

Seavey has been coaching basketball in Maine since the 1990s and says he’s crossed paths with all three coaches many times over the years.

“It’s just too bad because they all have the same passion for the game and the kids,” he said. “It must’ve been tough to make that decision.”

At least two of the coaches pointed to pressure from parents as a major factor.

Chris Bryant posted a statement on social media, writing in part:

“As a coach, I have always prioritized the well-being and development of my players, and I stand by my coaching methods. However, it has become clear that I no longer have the support of parents and administration necessary to continue in this role.”

While many were surprised by his resignation, some say it was necessary. One parent specifically claimed on social media that her son received disparaging text messages from Bryant while playing basketball for him at John Bapst.

“It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone involved,” President of the Maine Association of Basketball Coaches Peter Murray said. “And at the people that’re going to lose the most are going to be the kids.” 

Murray and Seavey say the increased competitiveness in youth sports created by a culture of year-round playing—and the rise of social media—are driving a wedge between parents and coaches.

“They can watch highlights of different schools, colleges, [and] professional athletes play, and think they’re recreating the game of basketball,” Seavey said. “That’s tough when you’ve got that competition.”

“A lot of parents want to see a return on their investment,” Murray added, who says many parents are investing much more time and money in their kids’ sports than ever before. “Their expectations are through the roof and that creates a problem.”

Both coaches agree that the path forward lies in better communication between parents and coaching staff.

“There’s going to be questions and concerns,” Murray said. “There has to be an avenue to ask those questions and voice those concerns.”

Conversations that school administrative members, like Westbrook High School Athletic Director Will Campbell, say they need to be helping facilitate.

“If the kid goes in and has a conversation with the coach and they don’t feel like they were heard or seen we can elevate that to a coach, kid, parent conversation and then up to a coach, kid, parent, athletic director conversation,” Campbell explained.

And if things don’t change, the coaches fear there could be fewer opportunities for young Maine athletes in the future.

“People were lining up at the door to coach some of these teams, but if this is the environment, people are a little hesitant to get involved,” Murray said.

Staff from Oceanside, John Bapst, and Brewer have confirmed that new coaches have been appointed to replace those who resigned.

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