WALES — Oak Hill High School football coach Dave Wing resigned this week, citing time constraints, after three seasons with the Raiders.

“It’s just time,” said Wing, 64, of Greene. “It’s just the time more than anything else. I coached for awhile, then got away, and then came back. You get to a point where you have to make a clear decision.

“Do you still want to put in the time? It’s a seven-days-a-week job. I took a long time to think this over. I just asked myself if I wanted to keep doing it or was it time for somebody else? And it was time for somebody else.”

Oak Hill athletic director Jim Palmer said he hoped Wing would’ve returned for a fourth season, but understood the decision to step down.

“You couldn’t ask for anybody who cared more than Dave,” Palmer said. “I know the time he was putting in. As a former head coach myself, I know the commitment he was making. He was great for the program.”

Palmer coached the Gardiner Area High School football team for three season.

Advertisement

Wing, a former University of Maine quarterback who previously coached at Brewer and Skowhegan, went 12-16 in three seasons at Oak Hill.

He took the Raiders to the playoffs each year, reaching the Campbell Conference semifinals in 2010.

Wing wouldn’t rule out another return to the sideline.

“I had plenty of energy at the end of the season,” Wing said. “I feel good. It was just time to do some other things. There’s a lot that goes into head coaching. You have to check grades and in the offseason you have to do the weight lifting program. If you don’t do the job in the weight room then you’re going to struggle the next season.

“I’m sure I’ll miss it, but I think it’s the right thing. I’ve enjoyed it immensely. Maybe at some point I will come back. I can always come back as an assistant. I don’t know. I love working with the kids.”

Oak Hill defensive coordinator Mike Haley is also resigning, although Wing said two assistants — Geoff Wright and Chad Stowell — could return.

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.