PORTLAND – Tim Eisenhart, a former Deering baseball player, is returning to his alma mater as varsity baseball coach.

Eisenhart, 40, is replacing Mark Sutton, who coached the Rams last spring. Deering Athletic Director Melanie Craig said Sutton stepped down because of a change in his regular job.

Eisenhart’s appointment needs school committee approval, said Craig.

“Tim is a fantastic addition to the coaching staff at Deering,” she said.

“We had a half dozen candidates. They were high caliber. We’re excited to have Tim.”

Eisenhart is also excited about coaching at Deering.

“It’s good to be going home,” said Eisenhart. “It’s pretty cool.”

Eisenhart realizes the challenge of coaching Class A’s most successful program. Deering has won 12 state titles. Bangor is second with nine, followed by Portland with eight.

“The expectations to be the best are there,” he said. “Our goal will be to perform at our maximum ability. I know the talent is still there. My job will be to cultivate it.”

Eisenhart could have a daunting task, at least initially. Deering graduated 14 seniors from a team that went 12-5 and lost in the regional quarterfinals. Eisenhart said the team has two returning starters.

“I will be looking to build a program from the ground up while fostering strong relationships with the players. You have to reach out to kids and let them know what your expectations are,” he said.

“I’ll be closely watching the development of the youth programs in the city.”

Eisenhart will also coach Nova Seafood, Deering’s team in summer American Legion ball.

Eisenhart teaches math at Westbrook High. He lives in Portland with his wife, Amanda, and two young sons.

Eisenhart graduated from Deering in 1989 where he pitched and played shortstop. He graduated from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., where he played baseball.

Eisenhart served as assistant coach/junior varsity coach at Westbrook from 2003 to 2007 for his brother, John, who was the Blue Blazes’ coach. Their 2005 team won the Western Maine title, but lost to Oxford Hills in the state final.

Eisenhart worked as the hitting coach. He has also coached summer Legion ball in Westbrook and Falmouth, adding junior Legion duties in Falmouth in 2009.

Eisenhart started his coaching career in 1996 at Four Seasons, an indoor facility in Portland that later became Frozen Ropes. He also assisted Bowdoin College Coach Mike Connolly in 1998 and 1999.

When his brother left Westbrook, Eisenhart thought about applying for the job, but instead pursued a master’s degree in education technology. Having obtained that, he started looking for a head coaching position.

He applied for the Westbrook job that went to Greg Souza.

“I heard the Deering job was open,” said Eisenhart.

“This is the only place I would want to coach other than Westbrook. I feel coaching is an extension of the classroom.”

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

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH