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Maine hires alum Chris Markwood as next head coach

Boston College assistant and former Maine star Chris Markwood has been hired as the new head coach of the Black Bears. Markwood has sixteen seasons of assistant coaching experience under his belt, including five seasons at his alma mater (2006-11).

“Coach Markwood is everything we could hope for in a men’s basketball coach,” AD Ken Ralph said in a statement. “He is a Maine native, a UMaine alum, a former Black Bear captain, and a long-tenured, successful assistant coach with significant experiences in the Northeast. His outstanding work and documented accomplishments at Maine, Vermont, Northeastern and Boston College has fully prepared him to be a head coach. UMaine men’s basketball got a lot better today.  We are thrilled to be able to welcome Chris and his family back to Orono.”

Markwood came to BC in 2021 after spending seven years at Northeastern. He started out at Notre Dame then spent two seasons playing at Maine – one each for head coaches John Giannini and Ted Woodward – and was elected team captain as a senior in 2004-05.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be the new head men’s basketball coach at the University of Maine,” Coach Markwood said. “The state of Maine, and the University of Maine, are home to me and have always held a special place in my heart. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to partner with our student-athletes and lead this program to new heights. Go Black Bears!”

Maine has never been to the NCAA Tournament and has, in fact, never played in a D-I postseason tournament of any kind since moving up to the top level in 1961. The program’s last winning season was 2009-10 (19-11) and have only won 20+ games on three occasions, including Markwood’s junior season in 2003-04.

 

credit to Maine Athletics for the image