BIDDEFORD, Maine — After a comprehensive national search, the University of New England has selected Mike Lichten as its head football coach. UNE Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack McDonald made the announcement during a press conference held Thursday morning at the Harold Alfond Forum.
Lichten comes to UNE after serving as head coach at Becker College for five seasons. While at Becker, Lichten transformed the Hawks’ program, culminating with a 2015 season that featured a school-record seven victories and undefeated record at home. For his efforts Lichten was selected Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Coach of the Year, as well as All-Worcester Coach of the Year. He coached 49 All-ECFC selections over his five-year tenure.
“I am honored and humbled to be the first football coach at the University of New England,” Lichten said in a press release. “The opportunity to work for and represent President [Danielle] Ripich and Jack McDonald as we build a program that all of Maine and UNE will be proud of is exciting, and I cannot wait to get started.
“Creating a winning culture focused on academics, athletics and service in a program centered around the growth and experience of the players is going to be an incredibly rewarding challenge at UNE,” he added.
Lichten was the defensive coordinator at Becker in 2010 after spending two seasons as wide receivers coach and defensive backs coach at Northeastern University (2008-09).
A 2008 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Lichten attained a bachelor of arts degree in history with a minor in education. The native of Newton, Massachusetts, is pursuing a master of science degree in coaching education from Ohio University.
“From the very beginning of our search process that included more than 250 candidates, we received numerous nominations, recommendations and excellent references on Mike,” McDonald said in a press release. “These references were not only from some well-respected football people, but also from university, student affairs and many other nonathletics professionals.
“Mike really impressed our search committee and others on campus who shared in the interview process, and we are very, very pleased that he will be the coach of our first varsity team. Mike brings excellent experience in building a Division III football program that is committed to academics, athletics and community service.”
Last month, Lichten attended the American Football Coaches Association 30 Under 30 Leadership Institute in San Antonio, Texas. He was selected from a pool of nearly 200 applicants and attended lectures on topics including ethics, leadership, NCAA rules, financial management, hiring and player safety.
UNE will play a sub-varsity schedule in 2017 and commence varsity competition in the Commonwealth Coast Conference in 2018. The Nor’easters will open their varsity schedule Aug. 30, 2018, versus Coast Guard at Cadet Field in New London, Connecticut.