York High has lost another varsity coach, this time after the start of preseason practice.
Athletic Director Andy Wood confirmed Thursday that Chuck Chadbourne, York’s baseball coach since 2013, will not coach the team this spring. News of Chadbourne’s departure was first reported Wednesday by Seacoastonline.com, and came four days after he was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Coach Chadbourne will not be with the team this season,” Wood said by email. “As this is a personnel matter, in the interests of confidentiality, I cannot share any more information.”
Wood did not indicate who will coach the team.
Through email, Chadbourne said Thursday morning he could not comment “at this time,” and “hoped to be able to speak about this very soon.”
Chadbourne was arrested in York around 10 p.m. on March 17 after being stopped for erratic operation of a motor vehicle on Route 1.
According to York police Sgt. Brian Curtin, Chadbourne refused to take a Breathalyzer test. The arresting officer developed “probable cause” that Chadbourne was intoxicated, then made the arrest.
Chadbourne, 56, lives in Wells. He is scheduled to appear in York District Court on May 22.
Chadbourne had posted a winning record in each of his five seasons at York, with an overall record of 65-27. The Wildcats won the Class B state title in 2013, Chadbourne’s first season.
Last year York was 16-4 and reached the Class B South final before losing to Yarmouth, the eventual state champion.
He previously was head coach at Wells for seven seasons.
Chadbourne is the founder, general manager and director of player development of Coastal Riptide, a baseball club for players in the U-10 through U-14 age groups.
Baseball becomes the seventh varsity sport at York to see a coaching change in the past year.
Last spring, boys’ tennis coach Pete Webster resigned after leading the team in 22 of the previous 23 seasons and was replaced by former athletic director Ted Welch. Football and boys’ basketball coach Randy Small was removed from his boys’ basketball position two weeks prior to the season and Paul Marquis was hired.
Small had intended to retire after 21 seasons as football coach but wanted to continue as the boys’ basketball coach for a 10th season. Jordan Hersom has been hired as the new football coach, pending school committee approval.
Boys’ soccer coach Eric Martens resigned to take the same position at Portsmouth High in New Hampshire. He has been replaced by Julie Johnson, also pending school committee approval.
Softball coach Mona Blais was not rehired after last season and was replaced by Kevin Giannino.
Earlier this month, field hockey coach Barb Marois resigned. Marois, who coached York to four state championships and 12 regional titles in 18 seasons, did leave the door open for a possible return in 2020 after her twin children graduate from Dover High in New Hampshire.
Steve Craig can be reached at 791-6413 or:
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