Biddeford football coach Scott Descoteaux officially stepped down today, leaving the school not only with the loss of a coach, but the loss of a mentor and a teacher for many young men involved with the football program.

During his six years as Biddeford’s head coach, Descoteaux didn’t produce a state title. He didn’t win a conference championship. He didn’t lead a football juggernaut. What he did do, however, was teach hundreds of current and former Biddeford football players how to be good people. He taught them how to work as a team, and he taught them how to persevere despite obstacles.

Never was that more evident than in the 2011 football season when, for the first time since 1979, the Tigers went winless. The team struggled to 0-8 that year, falling heavily to teams such as Cheverus and Thornton Academy, losing at home to Kennebunk and falling to a below-average Gorham squad.

Still, Descoteaux’s players never wavered in the positive representation of the Black and Orange. They prepared for each game as if their record were 0-0. They played each team aggressively, emotionally and as hard as they could. While the scores didn’t end up in the players’ favors, the kids themselves still smiled knowing that they were doing the best they could do, which is all Descoteaux had asked.

Yes, there were many frustrating moments on the field when a play broke down or a player missed an assignment. There were moments where Descoteaux yelled at a player for a mistake, but regardless of hostile expression, Descoteaux was always the first person to congratulate his players for working hard and thanked them for never giving up. In interviews, he gushed about the quality of his players, which was a reflection of him. That is what will always distinguish the Biddeford coach who grew up in Biddeford, played for Biddeford and eventually led its football program.

Football in Biddeford is revered as the school with one of the most storied programs in all of Maine high school football. Waterhouse Field, where the Tigers play their home games, is considered by many fans, former and current players, and high school aficionados to be the most prestigious place to play in Maine.

Descoteaux, unfortunately, inherited a football program six seasons ago that is dealing with the reality of dwindling enrollment and involvement in football, which is a sad cry from the days when Biddeford would cut players from its junior varsity team and realistically had a shot to win a state title almost every year.

Those glory days are gone for now, and Descoteaux understood the reality of the situation in Biddeford, but that is not why he stepped down. He has chosen to pursue a career in education administration, a career goal for which he has prepared since earning a master’s degree in education. He understood that stepping down now was the correct choice, as to give the school ample time to find a suitable replacement. Again, he made the right decision although is was difficult.

The new coach will inherit the challenges and realities that face Biddeford’s football program, but the bigger obstacle will be replacing a man who has impeccable character. Football fans in Biddeford expect a lot from their coaches, and those expectations go beyond the wins and losses. They expect a quality person to teach their young men not just about football, but about succeeding in life. Descoteaux did this, and for that, the community should be thankful for his service. We know his players are.

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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.