BANGOR, Maine — Roger Reed distributed the last final exam of his 47-year career in education to students at Bangor High School on Wednesday.
But the retiring teacher also is ending a 27-year run as the school’s boys varsity basketball coach — a tenure that included eight Class A state championships — though it’s a decision made not entirely on his own terms as Bangor High School principal Paul Butler asked Reed to make a choice between continuing to coach or a potential political career.
The 73-year-old Carmel resident submitted his resignation to school officials Monday, one day before winning the Republican primary to represent House District 23 (Carmel, Etna, Hermon and Stetson) in the Maine Legislature.
Reed defeated Patricia Adams Tate of Hermon in the primary and now will face Democrat Richard Thomas of Hermon in the Nov. 6 general election for the right to fill the seat held by four-term Rep. David E. Richardson of Hermon. Richardson, also a Republican, is being forced out of office by term limits.
The issue that led to Reed’s resignation was whether he could handle the demands of being both a state legislator and head basketball coach during the winter months when the Legislature is in its regular session.
Reed said he was told by several legislators as well as Sawin Millett, a lifelong friend and former teammate of Reed’s at Carmel High School who now serves as commissioner of the state Department of Administrative and Financial Services, that he could handle both sets of duties as well as the travel required between legislative workdays and his basketball team’s practices and games.
But that feeling wasn’t universal, he said.
“Somewhere and sometime ago, it was decided that I wouldn’t be allowed to do both,” said Reed. “I really don’t think that it has anything to do with logistics. I was assured by all who encouraged me to run that I would have no reason to give up coaching. I guess at this point, I’ll never get the chance to prove it one way or the other.”
Butler, who played basketball on teams coached by Reed during the late 1980s, said he asked a number of people about the feasibility of someone serving in both capacities during a winter sports season when the Legislature is in full session and ultimately determined that it wasn’t a viable option for the school.
“I talked to a lot of people, did a lot of thinking about it and ultimately decided that it wasn’t in the best interest of Bangor High School, the basketball program and the student-athletes to ask somebody to manage both of those huge roles and to do them with the level of excellence that Roger has given to his coaching and would certainly give to his role as a legislator,” said Butler.
“It was an honest, good-faith decision. I think Bangor High School athletes and our program deserve 100 percent of a person’s attention, and I just felt that it was untenable for somebody to do both.”
Butler asked Reed to commit solely to the basketball program shortly after the 2011-12 season ended and gave his coach extra time to make a decision. Normally Butler forwards his recommendations for much of the school’s coaching staff to Superintendent Betsy Webb in April.
“Once I made the decision, I waited until after the season and asked Roger to choose us,” said Butler. “I wanted, and offered, to have Roger back as coach and gave him until June to make that decision.
“I told him the only time I ever rooted against him was going into the primary.”
If elected, Reed could have been the second Bangor High School coach to serve in the 126th Maine Legislature that convenes in December. The Rams’ cross country coach, Adam Goode, represents House District 15 (Bangor), but cross country season during the fall does not conflict with regular legislative sessions.
Reed was one of the winningest boys basketball coaches in state history with a career record of 571-201 — good for a .740 winning percentage — at Bangor Christian and Bangor, including a 457-103 mark since being hired at Bangor beginning with the 1985-86 season.
Bangor went 7-11 during Reed’s first year with the Rams but since then has had 26 consecutive winning seasons, including a 14-6 finish last winter while advancing to the Eastern Maine Class A semifinals.
Reed guided a team led by his son, Mark, to the 1992 state championship game where the Rams lost a five-overtime thriller to South Portland.
The next year, Bangor won its first state championship since 1959, marking the first of six state titles won during an 11-year span through 2003 — 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2003 — a record unmatched by any other Maine Class A basketball coach.
Reed guided Bangor to subsequent state titles in 2007 and 2011, as well as another berth in the state championship game in 2008.
He also coached Bangor Christian to an Eastern Maine Class D title in 1979.
“I want to thank all of the great players that I had the honor of coaching so many great moments with,” said Reed, a 2006 inductee into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. “The players, too many to name, have provided me with memories to last a lifetime.”
Reed also expressed thanks to the coaches and teachers he has worked with throughout his career, as well as Bangor athletic administrator Steve Vanidestine, former principal Norris Nickerson and the two people who hired him at Bangor High School in 1985, superintendent of schools Dr. Arthur Pierce and principal Dr. John Fahey.
“Every day has been a good day at Bangor High,” said Reed.
Butler, who played on Reed’s first four teams at Bangor High before graduating in 1989, said this has been a trying process for him on a personal level.
“I love Roger, played for Roger, respect all his accomplishments, love him as a coach, love his philosophy and love the success,” he said. “All of those things are true. There can never be enough said about what he accomplished here, and I experienced it first-hand.
“The human side of this is very difficult for me because I love Roger and especially because Roger is hurt, but the decision making as to whether this was a manageable situation was easier to make.”
Campaigning takes more time than actual legislative session. Adam Goode shouldn’t be allowed to coach if Coach Reed isn’t allowed to.
I think the problem is the seasons, and when the legislature is in session. Not being on the legislature and coaching.
Solid reasoning and decisive action by Mr. Butler. His job is to look out for what it best for Bangor High School kids, not Roger’s ego.
Anyone that knows Roger, knows that it is not the case of Roger’s ego.
A lot of us know Roger. Of course he doesn’t have an ego…simply for the love of the game and the kids…
Please! Unfortunately, most of the coaches in high school (and little league!) do it for the ego. It is not for the pay. And it is not simply for the love of the game.
bgr joe… id like about 15 minutes alone with you. I wont hide behind a fake screen name.
Coach Reed coaching for Bangor High School is what is best for Bangor High School Kids, its a terrible move by Butler.. If Reed says he could have done both then he should have been given the chance. Also Butler needs to be looking into the drug/drinking problem at BHS that might be what is actually in the best interest of Bangor High School Kids.
It’s Bangor High’s loss.
Tough spot for Paul to be in. I wish Mr. Reed all the best serving in the legislature.
Are you serious Paul? You don’t think Coach Reed will maintain his level of excellence for the program. This is an unacceptable treatment of a man who did so much for Bangor High School and the youth of the community. You really believe the Bangor youth are better served by someone without Coach Reed’s experience, knowledge and coaching expertise?
Roger is a wonderful man on and off the floor. I wonder if the new city manager was working behind the door telling Paul if you want your job you better do this my way??? She has let 6 or 8 department heads go since she been at the helm. Just what the council wanted. Good luck Roger a wonderful and caring human being. Thanks for all you did, and helping kids in all the years of service. Paul get a job.
Ah big, the City Manager doesn’t hire/fire school employees.
Naive much!
Timmy…Timmy…Timmy…The city manager ONLY has control over the municipal workers of a city. He/She reports to the City Council. The Superintendent of Schools has control over the SCHOOL employees and reports to the School Committee. I guess you missed the day they covered this topic in civics class.
Good to see someone still believes in the system. After the last three years in
washington and thirty years in Maine. Yes thats the way it works, blink blink
nod nod.Evidently you missed reality day in civics class
Believe whatever you want too. So far from the truth. She is in control of what the school system does in the city of Bangor. Do not kid yourself.
Fine then if the City Manager does they should be able to eliminate the Superintendents position and save $100K+ a year.
Yet another example of the pervasive rigidity of the Bangor School system.
Obviously this was not a decision made at Paul’s level.
Right on. I wonder if this decision had something to do with Roger benching the superintendant’s son for two weeks after he violated his contract…
Thanks for all the years of coaching. I tend to come from a place that welcomes change as much as it recognizes the value of experience. It’s great that this man gave so much of himself to the community, and great that someone else now has the opportunity to do so.
You should give the Coach a chance/ thats Bangor High for you . Coach Reed I know you could have done it with out any problem. Butler is trying to make a name for him self Some one who puts
that much into Baketball should have a chance think it should be looked at by the booster
club at Bangor high
Is it odd that Bangor High athletic director Steve Vanidestine did not seem to be involved in the decision? I think if Roger Reed says he can do something, I think you take his word for it. His 47yrs in education and 27yrs as basketball coach is nothing compared to the new principals creds…..how did he get that job any way…….no nepitism in that district because no administrators are related by blood or by marriage……….
From all the other coaches in class a thanks butler good job glad to see em go
A total class act! Too bad he was asked to leave, he is irreplaceble!
I hope the Booster Club will have a meeting on this And change the Way Roger is
being treated By The new staff at Bangor High
if he was running or elected as a DEM I bet this would be a different story. Really sad loss for BHS, Mr Reed was a great coach and teacher. Seems like a double standard to me.
Don’t be ridiculous. I am as Republican as anyone you’ll ever meet, and I can absolutely tell you this had nothing to do with partisan politics.
Some folks have to bring politics into everything. Next thing coming, someone will make it the fault of Ledacci W. Obama.
Correct me if I’m wrong.. he hasn’t actually won the election yet.. there still that little matter of the November elections.. or does Mr. Butler know something I don’t… just sayin’.
What a loss for Bangor High School
Do you think for one second that Roger didn’t make sure and talk to the people that he needed to make sure that he could do both? Do you think that there is one person in this world that cares more for the basketball program that he built than Roger Reed. And, furthermore, what right does the bangor school system have to tell Roger what he can and can’t do after he retires from teaching? Funny how people in high places can be sold for so little.
what a vain man. I find it hard to believe he spent all those years amoung the libs in school and is a repub… rouge is what I’m thinking.
Again, you obviously don’t know Roger Reed. He has spent all those years with liberals in the school and has continued to stand for what he believes in. Ask any of them, they’ll tell you. And, if the truth be told they’ve been trying to get rid of him for years, only he’s been too successful doing it right. This was the first chance they had to make it look clean.
November 28, 2011, BDN– “They’ve asked me if I’d stay and coach, so that’s something I’m going
to continue to try and do,” Reed said. “If it gets to a point where it’s
not feasible I’ll have to do something about it, but everybody down
there tells me it is something I can do.” Clearly, the agreement was that he would continue to coach.
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2011/11/28/sports/bangor-boys-basketball-coach-seeking-seat-in-state-legislature/?ref=relatedBox
I’ve been away from Bangor/BHS for more than a decade, but there’s an all-too-familiar stench to this story. What a sad, sad day. There are so many wonderful things about that community, but things like this cast a very dark and ugly shadow over it. I can’t begin to express how disappointed I am with the decision, or how sad I am for Roger.
I think it stinks, and that BDN quote from last November pretty much confirms it. So now we spin it that the decision was for the good of the kids who deserve so much? I don’t buy that. You mean you don’t give it a year, see if he wins the election, and then see how the season plays out? Not one season after all of these years, all these successes and success stories, and all the hard work & loyalty? In my mind, this could only be in the best interests of someone or someones up the ladder who have an axe to grind – before using it in a very shortsighted manner. I believe that this move will live forever in the Bangor School System Hall of Shame. Roger will do fine – he’s a first class guy, but the decision makers will not ever live this one down. It’s wrong, and is no doubt heartbreaking to thousands of people, both old & young.
What a shame. If there is anyone who is able to be a legislator and continue coaching, it is Roger Reed, and it should have been his decision to make. I remember the aforementioned article. I guess someone in the meantime must have expressed an interest in the coaching position–seems the logical conclusion.
Could there possibly be a hint of “age discrimination” here?
Sorry – posted twice.
Mr. Butler, when you have a stand up citizen such as Mr. Reed, you hope that your other employees will follow his example. Maybe you should spend more time trying to take care of the huge drug problem in your school, the bullying that goes on daily in the halls, instead of worrying about a program that has already proved successful time after time. This is a shame for anyone that has played for Bangor High or hoped to. As a former player yourself, one has to wonder if this isnt sour grapes and maybe Mr. Butler didnt think he got enough playing time in his time under Mr. Reed…if so, shame on you.
Bangor Basketball is what it is today because of this man. I think if Coach Reed had a bit of doubt about handling both jobs he would have stepped down himself. At least give him that decision. I do believe he has earned it. He is dedicated to Bangor Basketball and Bangor High. How many state championships does he have? Seven or so? Very unacceptable treatment to the man. Do you think Red Barry got this disrespect? What about George Wentworth from Stearns? Never. He is that caliber of a coach. Probably better. With the kids you have to deal with today. Is it possible to rename a gymnasium?
If he was a democrat it wouldn’t have been an issue.
Bangor may be losing a great teacher and coach but Maine is going to be gaining a great legislator if Mr. Reed is elected in November.
Well well….here we go again! This can only mean one thing, there must be another family member, close friend or inlaw looking for a coaching job. Just sit back and watch it all play out….the new coach with have some personal connection to this school admin.
I’ve met Roger Reed a few times socially, seen him in action when dealing with people, and watched the way he treats his ball players while coaching. He is a first rate individual and committed to what he believes in. It would seem reasonable to allow him the opportunity to coach and if elected in November serve in the legislature. I believe many of us also multi-task and perform several jobs on a daily basis. What a shame that this was a decision made by the principal and not the athletic director and coach. For those of us that enjoyed watching Bangor athletics (and I’m from another district) it’s a sad situation but I would think more so for the community of Bangor.
As the sun rises on a new day the ramifications of this decision are even more unsettling. Can you imagine the University of North Carolina running Dean Smith off? Coach Reed delivered 8 State Championships to a program that had not won one in the 60’s, 70’s 0r 80’s. And the way he won, the role model he has been and summer programs for the entire community have modeled how a high quality program should be run. I hope some leaders in the community will hold Betsy Webb and Paul Butler accountable for this use of their positional power. If you screw up something this easy than you wonder who needs to leave?
There are no community leaders in Bangor who would ever hold Betsy Webb accountable for anything. Her arrogance, and the arrogance of those she surrounds herself with, is the first problem with the Bangor School System. Try speaking to her as a taxpayer of the city of Bangor-wait, you can’t, you are not worthy too. I don’t know Butler personally, but look and you shall find long time connections with his family and extend family in the Bangor area. The new principal at Downeast School is connected, and most likely the principal at 14th St. Perhaps Webb needs a job for her son-he may have a hard time finding work where ethics are required. (You should be able to find his name related to a death of a man outside of a Bangor bar).
That decision shouldn’t have been made by this guy. He should have had a discussion with the coach about his concerns but left it up to the coach as to whether he thinks the expectations are doable or not, knowing what is on the line. The coach should have been given a chance to prove that it could or could not be done. He is obviously a dedicated coach and could clearly make the right decision on his own. It would be great if people stepped up in support of Reed to reverse this decision. This is bad management!
Communications failure?
I can guarantee you this, Roger isn’t going to worry about it. He is a christian man that gives his worry to God. He is a man of integrity, strong moral values, a great family man and a great role model for our children, and remember, he’s a christian. Coincidence? I think not.
Based on the newspaper reporting…this is a joke! This is about protecting the Bangor School Corporation and it’s employees, if Roger was a Democrat and if the institutional bureaucrats knew that Roger would vote the way the Schools wanted..this wouldn’t be an issue. The problem in Bangor, is the system folk thinks it’s the best school system in New England, hardly, it’s overrated in many ways. If Butler was really concerned about the High School start weeding out the drug problem and bullying. Many of those drug addicted athletes have helped create the oustanding “Bangor Excellence in Athletics”.
Roger should have been given at least a shot in working it out…but politics got the the best of him.
If I was in need of a local basketball coach in and around Eastern Maine, I would quickly be dialing up Coach Reed on the teley…..
As a former student of Bangor High School, and taught by Coach Reed, I am absolutely confident that he did his research and due dilligence before stating whether or not he would be able to commit to both coaching and the state legislature. Coach Reed is an absolute class act, who has always taken his role as an educator, coach, and role model to his students with the utmost seriousness. I am aware that he is retiring from teaching, but am saddened that he will not still be able to play an active role in the lives of the students at BHS. He is exactly the type of person that kids everywhere should aspire to be like. What a poor decision on the part of Paul Butler. Thank you, Coach Reed, for your service as an teacher, coach, and mentor. I wish you luck in your quest for the state legislature.
TEACHING MOMENT? See, this is what you get kids, if you step forward to try and serve in local government. Nice. Decision shouldn’t stand.
I graduated from BHS. I had Civics class with Coach Reed freshman year. I went to his summer basketball camps and played summer league for him. I didn’t know him as well as some because I never played basketball for Bangor High and I don’t know a lot about recent events as I moved away from Bangor 12 years ago. However, for someone who has had 26 consecutive winning seasons, this decision perplexes me. I could definitely understand if he was elected, then had his first losing season in 27 years, that you would re-evaluate. But to not be given the chance, based on his resume, doesn’t make sense. I can’t fault Paul Butler, I have no idea what went into the decision or how hard it must have been to make. Every experience I have ever had with both men was extremely positive.
This would never have happened had Norris Nickerson still been BHS’ principal. It’s outrageous that a wonderfulright-wing Republican like Coach Reed would be treated this way. Surely, though, he’ll be elected to the State House and quickly become a leader of the GOP.
I am sure that the decision was a tough one… I believe it’s the wrong one.. but I don’t have all the information.. so why don’t I just shut up
This has been the school board’s goal for a while now. Coach Reed wanted to retire from teaching a few years ago and only coach. Even though the board has let other coaches/teachers do this they fought with Roger over it. The controlling powers in Bangor have been in place for generations, they suffocate progress and push good people out.
Legislature begins its session in January, during basketball season and during the winter. Next legislative session will go into May.
Legislators are assigned to two committees. Committees schedule regular meetings, say Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. (one or the other). Most meetings are set for 1 p.m. because as the session goes on the full House and the full Senate convenes at 10 a.m. He’d likely be on committees that meet at 1 p.m. And a lot of times legislators aren’t at one committee meeting because they’re at the other one or they go back-and-forth between meetings.
Bangor High gets out at 2. Practice likely starts after that, and practice is every day with games a couple nights a week.
Then there’s the party caucus meetings, usually in the evenings.
How can he be do both? Maybe he can.
And regardless of it being a coach/teacher or teacher, if someone is planning to retire, the school district prefers it happens at the end of a school year so that a smooth transition can take place for the next school year.
A couple of points that should be corrected: Legislators are not guaranteed 2 committees or even 1 committee. Due to the amount of people in the House, there are some members who do not have any committee assignments. So, it is possible that Reed would have no committee assignment, giving him much more time, or 1 committee assignment on a committee that does not meet very often.
Also, Bangor High has 6 basketball teams: Boys freshman, JV, and varsity, and girls freshman, JV, and varsity. So, on any given day, they need to figure out who can use the gym and at which times. Obviously someone needs to practice right after school gets out, but if they knew Reed may have trouble getting back for a 2:30 practice, they could simply put the varsity at the 5 pm practice time.
This was definitely feasible and I think there is much more to this story.
What exactly is the problem with giving him a chance to try to do both? He thought he could do it and even asked around to find out what his commitments would be like. If he failed, well then look for a new Coach then. Why bail on him before he has a chance to do both jobs amazingly? His track record speaks for itself, and now he wants to serve more than the Bangor School Department. Kudos to him for being so fantastic!
I have never met the man, and don’t follow local sports. I must, however, admire him for the courage it took to stay in secondary education for 47 years. I would bet it’s the coaching NOT the teaching that kept “Coach” Reed there.
I know Roger Reed and to be honest he and I have hardly ever agreed on things political. His opinions are too far to the right for my taste. Having said that,what is going on as far as his being fired, and that is exactly what is happening, he is being fired is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. Roger Reed has earned the right to decide if he could do both jobs at the same time. Frankly this decision on the part of Paul Butler , if you believe he is the one making the decision, stinks.
Now what am I supposed to do with my already purchased round trip ticket from St Pete to Bangor for next tourney week. For 30+ years I have been watching my high school friend, Roger’s teams at the auditorium tourneys then Augusta and even in Portland! Last year I listened on Wzon in FL. His teams have provided much fun through the years even way back at BCS where big Stevie Small starred. Good luck in Augusta, Roger.41 minutes ago · Like
Wow, what a joke. This guy is pretty much a Maine state coaching GOD and he won’t even be able to prove himself for one season. It’s too bad for the school and for Maine high school basketball as a whole.
I think it’s the perfect time for a much needed changing of the guard at B.H.S.
An ax to grind???? Get cut because you weren’t good enough???
The lone republican in a sea of democrats. All that needs to be said.
Wow. Butler stepped in it big time on this one. Can he reverse course and save face?
The reason Butler had to tell him is because Betsy Webb didn’t want to be bothered. Seems the last few years the supers get worse and worse. Betsy is a control freak. She does what she does because she can. I wish she would run for office. But then, she’d just changes the rules. Don’t blame the messenger. In this case, Butler.
Most of these comments fail to address the fact that Mr. Reed is 73 years old. He is retiring from his teaching position to be a state legislator. Why continue coaching ? He will go down as one of the most winning coaches in Maine high school basketball. Sometimes we all need a little push to move on. His fiery style was great in the 50’s and 60’s but today’s kids are very different. Don’t get me wrong, he is a pillar of the community and a very nice man but its time to give his new job for the people of his district his full attention.
His fiery style is EXACTLY what this soft generation needs. Someone who is committed to the betterment of the academic disciplines and the ethical character that can be a foundation for a lifetime of successes. Remember BHS went three decades without a State Championship prior to his fiery style and disciplined program. Yes he is a pillar of the community because he has been dedicated to the youth…simply a sorry decision by a short sighted administration.
Having attended his practices and sat on his bench for 21 years, his fiery style works with the same results as it did in the 50s and 60s. He holds his student-athletes accountable both on the court and in the classroom and the results are unquestioned. In fact I would argue that Coach Reed and his assistants have a tougher time today than their peers in the 50s and 60s, because a great many parents are afraid to actually parent. The fact that he is 73 has nothing to do it, and for you to even begin the discussion with that, leads me to believe that you would discriminate solely on the basis of age.
So you take away a successful worker’s job because it is “time” to give someone else a chance?
What kind of reasoning is that? Or is it “time” for a change. Why not? Let’s just go find another coach who will win 8 championships in the next 27 years, who will be a moral & ethical man, and will be a great role model all the way. And as far as the 73 years old & a different breed of young person, didn’t he just win the state a couple of seasons ago. What was he then? 71? How come some young coach who is able to better relate to the young people of today didn’t beat his team then?
I finally figured out why John Wooden retired. He didn’t want to get fired.
The young people that didn’t relate to Coach were his bosses, not his players.
Reading the posts here, and some of the history with people involved, it’s pretty clear to me that someone wanted Roger out of the way, and I believe that is the bottom line. If I were the principal, & it wasn’t my call, I would have said so. Let the person that wants him fired just say it & live with it. If I were the principal & it were my call, it never would have happened. As I said before, give it a season & see how it plays out.
It’s not right.
Oh yeah – his style was great in the 50’s & 60’s? He didn’t start coaching at BHS until the 80’s,
and that style seems to have been quite successful.
Roger will win and will do great things in spite of this very unfair move. Do you suppose Butler and the gang have a coach all selected and just drooling right now? If you don’t you are naive. If you apply and interview you are wasting your time.
Butler. Power freak. Ever wonder how Paul got to where he is? Research how he got his first job as principal without being fully certified to be one. Only after the fact he took classes to be a principal. He has moved up the greasy ladder of the Bangor School System right under the taxpayers noses and thrives on power. How absurd this move is! You don’ even give Reed a chance to prove himself after all he has done? WOW< great way to show kids how to treat another person who has given so much. If you want to judge the character of a man, don't give him money, give him power. Wa lah, Mr. Butler to the core! Of course Bangor gives him both! HAH! Well done Bangor High. Your so called exemplary standards just took on a black eye the size of Texas. Shame on you for treating a person like this.
Well, I guess we can state, judging from the comments here, that the decision has not been well received.