UMaine taps defensive coordinator to serve as coach

ORONO, Maine (AP) Maine interim football coach Joe Harasymiak has been tapped to lead the Black Bears on a permanent basis, athletic director Karlton Creech said Wednesday.

Harasymiak, who served the past two seasons as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach, said he was humbled to become the team's 35th coach. The four-year deal is worth $150,000 per year.

''To think of all of the great head coaches who have come through here, and to be selected to be part of that group, is humbling,'' he said. "I can't wait to get started.''

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Harasymiak began serving as interim coach on Nov. 24 after Jack Cosgrove stepped down after 23 years to become a senior associate director of athletics.

The 29-year-old Harasymiak came to Maine in 2011 after working a graduate assistant at Springfield College and as an assistant coach at Maine Maritime Academy. At Maine, his defense ranked in the top three in the Colonial Athletic Association and top 20 nationally.

Maine was 3-8 overall and 3-5 in the CAA this season.

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