FARMINGTON – Director of Athletics, Fitness, and Recreation, Julie Davis, is pleased to announce the hiring of Paul Rodrigue as the University of Maine at Farmington’s next head softball coach.
Rodrigue, who had been tabbed for the position last January, decided to spend time with family in Florida instead. While there, he volunteered at Indian River State College as the Pioneers’ pitching coach. The lifelong coach takes over the helm of UMF softball after Amy Jones served as the interim softball head coach last season.
“We are very fortunate to have Paul on board as a member of our team and head coach for our softball program. He is most enthusiastic about the possibilities. The returning players and recruits are as eager as he is to get started this fall, and we look forward to great things,” said Davis.
Coach Rodrigue’s softball experience and success is extensive. Notably, he served the University of Southern Maine in 2010 as a pitching coach and assisted with the Black Bears in Orono during the 2009 season.
Rodrigue served at Thomas College as an assistant coach for two seasons before taking over as head coach in 2003, a role he served in for six seasons. In his first season, Rodrigue guided the Terriers to the 2003 Sunrise Conference Championship and was recognized as the Sunrise Conference Coach of the Year. The Terriers also won the North Atlantic Conference Championship in 2004 and were conference runners-up in 2006 under his leadership.
His high school coaching experience includes stints at Old Town, Mt. Blue, Cony, Gardiner, and St. Augustine. Throughout, Coach Rodrigue has remained active as a private pitching coach and volunteer for various top-notch teams not affiliated with scholastic programs.
Coach Rodrigue was inducted into Kennebec Valley YMCA Hall of Fame in 2006, the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honor in 2005, and was a successful business owner for 30 years.
