KENNEBUNK — When Sean Smith was hired to be the new Kennebunk High School boys hockey coach last Friday, he was accepting a job he never thought he’d have. But it doesn’t mean he isn’t stepping into a dream job.

“If you had asked me a couple years ago when I was in high school, would I be coaching this team, I probably would have never seen it in a million years,” said Smith, a four-year player for the Rams who graduated in 2005.

Smith was an assistant coach for a girls hockey team in Marblehead, Mass. four years ago when he bumped into his former head coach at Kennebunk, Don Hill. Hill offered Smith an assistant coaching job, and now Smith is replacing his old coach after Hill resigned last month.

“You know, timing is everything,” said Smith. “10 minutes either way, I’d never be in this situation right now.”

Smith said he couldn’t be more excited to be in his new position.

“It’s awesome. I absolutely love it,” said Smith. “I’ve never been (a head coach) before. It’s a great feeling.”

Despite this being his first venture into head coaching, Smith said “I definitely think I’m ready for it.”

Smith cited the coaching classes he took in college, as well as his two assistant coaching jobs as preparation for his new gig. Plus, Smith said “I’ve always been a student of the game.”

What makes this a dream job for Smith, although it may be obvious, is that he gets to lead a program that he once was a player in, and in the town that he calls home.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Smith said of being able to coach his alma mater. “I said this during my interview: ”˜my heart is in Kennebunk. This is my community. I just absolutely love Kennebunk High School. I love the hockey program here”¦ It’s just an honor to be able to lead this program now.’”

Smith already has goals for the team, and they don’t all involve collecting wins.

“I expect to definitely get some wins. More importantly, I really want to mold this team into a respectful team,” said Smith. “A sportsmanship award would be nice.”

But Smith does expect to win as well, as he said “we can certainly make a dent in the schedule.”

The Rams open their season on Dec. 8 when they host Bonny Eagle. Until then, Smith will revel in the fact that a dream he never thought possible has finally come true.

“I’m just so honored and so thrilled to have the opportunity, and I’m definitely going to make the best of it,” said Smith.

—Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323 or follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.