PORTLAND – Longtime softball umpire Greg Goan has decided to follow the path of his self-described mentor, Dennis Crowe, and join the softball coaching ranks.

Goan, 51, was recently named Deering High’s coach, replacing Maggie Soule, who coached the Rams for two years.

Deering Athletic Director Mel Craig said Soule left for a teaching position in Auburn.

“When Dennis left umpiring to take the Gorham softball job, it definitely got me thinking,” said Goan.

“I’ve been umpiring for a long time (25 years). I thought it was time for a change. I heard that Deering had an opening. I went through the interview process and Deering was willing to give me a shot.”

Goan said Crowe got him started in umpiring and helped him along in the early years.

“Dennis jumped ship last year, taking over the Gorham job. He did a nice job,” said Goan.

Goan works as an alternative leaning specialist at Congin School in Westbrook. He is also a site supervisor for athletics at Westbrook Middle School.

Goan has never coached softball, but he coached baseball when his sons were younger.

“I’m going in with an open mind,” said Goan. “I have no high expectations.”

The Rams were 3-13 last year.

Long range, Goan wants to bring back the Deering softball program to where it was in the 1980s. The Rams won four Class A state titles under Coach Tige Curran from 1985 to 1989.

Goan said he will rely heavily on longtime Deering assistant Bob Caron.

“Bob is going to be my JV coach. I’ve spoken with him and he’s given me an overview of the players coming back,” said Goan.

“He’s told me we have some good athletes. My goal will be to make them outstanding softball players. I’m going to absorb as much as I can with whatever support staff I can call on.”

One of those will likely include Craig, who coached softball at Westbrook prior to becoming Deering AD.

Goan was on the interview committee when Craig was hired at Westbrook. He also umpired several of Craig’s games when she coached at Gray-New Gloucester.

“Mel ran a very strong program at GNG and had some outstanding teams,” said Goan.

Goan will start to get to know his players at a coaches-players meeting on Jan. 29.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH