On Dec. 16, 2015, Joe Harasymiak (HAIR-ah-sim-ee-ack) was introduced as the new University of Maine football head coach, effective Jan. 1, 2016.
"I am extremely excited and honored to be chosen as the next head football coach here at the University of Maine," said Harasymiak. "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. I can't wait to get started."
In his first year at the helm, Harasymiak guided the Black Bears to a 6-5 mark, including a 5-3 record in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action. Harasymiak, whose team was predicted to finish seventh in the league, ended the year fifth in the CAA standings, totaling the school's most league wins since Maine's CAA title season in 2013. Maine's six wins doubled its total from the year prior while its fifth place league finish jumped five spots from the 2015 season.
The high point of year two under Harasymiak came midway through league play where the Black Bears reeled off three-straight conference victories. A thrilling road victory at UAlbany sandwiched between convincing home wins over Rhode Island at William & Mary. Harasymiak continued to revamp and advance the Black Bear offense in year two as the unit grew from year one to year two under Harasymiak's guidance and direction. The Black Bears boasted the leading rusher in yards per game with Josh Mack, who averaged 133.5 yards per game, helping the Black Bears to end the season ranked third overall in the CAA in rushing (174.2). A large part of this success came through the mentoring of Maine's veteran offensive line, which led the CAA in sacks allowed (19). Two of the five on this offensive line went on to professional careers as Jamil Demby was selected by the LA Rams in the sixth round of the NFL Draft prior to John Reddington being signed by the CFL's Ottawa RedBlacks. Overall, the Black Bears capped the season ranked third in the CAA in total offense (388.4) and fourth in scoring (24.6); both total up from 2016. Individually, eight Black Bears earned All-CAA honors under Harasymiak's mentoring while Demby earned a spot on the STATS FCS All-American second team and both Demby and Mack were honored to the All-New England Football Team.
Harasymiak, who assumed the role as interim head coach on Nov. 24, 2015, became the 35th head coach in the 124th season of football at the University of Maine. Following a national search, Harasymiak emerged as the top candidate out of four finalists.
"I am pleased to introduce Joe Harasymiak as our next football coach at the University of Maine," said former UMaine Director of Athletics, Karlton Creech. "We are delighted for his ability to continue the excellence of Black Bear football and are excited for the opportunity for him to make a lasting impact on the program."
Prior to his time in the interim role, Harasymiak served the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach with the Black Bears. Under Harasymiak's eye, UMaine's defense ranked in the top three of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and top 20 nationally in total defense. Harasymiak mentored six all-conference players during his time as defensive coordinator.
Harasymiak was hired by the University of Maine in Feb. 2011 as a defensive assistant with the defensive backs. While an assistant with the defense, Harasymiak coached the Black Bears to the #1 ranked CAA pass defense while working closely with all-conference performer and NFL 4th Round selection, Jerron McMillian.
In April of 2012, Harasymiak was promoted to head defensive backs coach where he mentored the CAA's top ranked pass defense in 2013 and coached all-conference member Kendall James who was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft.
Before his time at UMaine, Harasymiak served as a graduate assistant coach with the wide receivers and quarterbacks at his alma mater, Springfield College and was an assistant coach at Maine Maritime Academy in 2008.
Harasymiak earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Springfield College in 2008. While at Springfield, he was a captain of the Pride football team in 2007.
The Joe Harasymiak File:
Birthdate: June 23, 1986 (30 years old)
Birthplace: Ridgewood, N.J. | Grew-up: Waldwick, N.J.
Family: Wife Brittany Harasymiak; Daughter: Sophie
High School: Waldwick
College: Springfield College '08
Coaching Experience:
2008: Maine Maritime Academy (Assistant Coach)
2009-10: Springfield College (Graduate Assistant - Wide Receivers/Quarterbacks)
2011: UMaine (Defensive Assistant/Defensive Backs)
2012-13: UMaine (Defensive Backs)
2014-15: UMaine (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2015: UMaine (Head Coach)
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT HARASYMIAK:
"Joe was very athletic with outstanding instinct for the ball, always positive and high energy as a player. He will bring energy and enthusiasm as well as a sound football mind to the job. Coach Cosgrove did a great job and Joe will continue the tradition." -Â Mike Delong, Springfield College Head Coach
"We are all excited for Joe and the University of Maine on his recent hiring, Joe has a great presence on and off the field, and is someone we will always be proud of here at Springfield College. Joe has a tremendous work ethic, and desire to improve his players not only on the field but in the classroom and community, he will extremely hard in developing the whole person, not just the football player. He will put the program and the student/athletes, best interest in mind and he will coach that way day in and day out. Whether it be a practice,game meeting or Maine Day Joe will bring a passion and energy that will be contagious throughout the program. Joe has had a great mentor and role model in coach Cosgrove to learn from and continue to lean on, I think this is a great opportunity for Joe as they continue to build on the tradition and history of Maine football. What he might lack in years coaching he will make up for with his enthusiasm, persistence, and vision for Maine football moving forward.I know how excited and humbled he is by this opportunity and I know he will work tirelessly to exceed the expectations for himself and the program." - Mike Cerasuolo, Springfield College Offensive Coordinator
"I'm really excited for Coach H. I think he's the perfect person to fill this head coaching position. He's a player's coach and he gets the best out of all of his players and I'm a living testament to that. He made me an All-Conference linebacker and I'm grateful for that. He's a great guy with an easy going personality but he's all business at the same time. He's a winner and he expects to win. He's going to be great for UMaine and for the Black Bears program." -Â Randy Samuels, UMaine All-Conference Linebacker
