University of Maine women’s basketball head coach Amy Vachon has agreed to terms to continue in her role for the Black Bears. The university and Coach Vachon have signed a binding term sheet in advance of the execution of a full contract.
“The University of Maine is delighted to announce an extended commitment to Coach Vachon,” says UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “Coach Vachon has not only produced champions on the court, but in the classroom and throughout the community. We could not be more excited for the future of our women’s basketball program under Coach Vachon’s guidance.”
The new agreement will run from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025 and will replace Vachon’s current four-year contract.
“I am thrilled Coach Vachon is continuing her commitment to the University of Maine and Black Bear basketball,” says Ken Ralph, UMaine director of athletics. “She has developed a winning culture in our program and we are excited to see the team continue to evolve under her leadership. I believe it is important to invest in excellence and Coach Vachon is setting a very high standard. This is great news for all of our fans who love our women’s basketball program.”
Vachon, a three-time America East Coach of the Year honoree, has served as the women’s basketball coach since March 1, 2018 when she signed a four-year contract, officially lifting her previous interim head coaching title.
“Thank you to President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Director of Athletics Ken Ralph for their belief in me and Maine women’s basketball,” says Vachon. “Being the head coach at my alma mater is something I have and will continue to take great pride in. Our players, staff, and coaches will continue to strive for excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”
During her time as head coach, Vachon has guided the Black Bears to a 94–42 overall mark, including a 62-16 showing against league competition, and five-straight appearances in the America East Championship game. Over the five year span, Maine has made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament after capturing the league crown in 2018 and 2019. The Black Bears have earned three America East regular season titles during Vachon’s tenure at the helm
The success under Vachon has not been isolated to the court as the Black Bears have earned numerous academic honors over the past five seasons. Following the 2019–20 season, Maine earned the No. 17 ranking, its highest ranking in school history, on the WBCA Top 25 Academic Honor Roll after compiling a 3.655 cumulative grade point average. The Black Bears posted the highest GPA among America East women’s basketball programs in 2017, 2019, and 2020 while finishing with an impressive 3.91 GPA in the fall of 2020.
Vachon joined the women’s basketball staff in the spring of 2011 as an assistant coach. Following the 201–12 season, she was named the recruiting coordinator before being promoted to associate head coach in May 2016. Vachon was named the interim head coach in January of 2017.
Vachon spent the final 18 games of the 2016–17 under the interim tag, guiding Maine to an 11–7 mark during that time and earning a spot in the America East title game after knocking off No. 1 New Hampshire in the semifinal round.
In her first full-year at the helm, Vachon guided Maine to a berth in the NCAA Tournament and an America East title after leading the team to a 23–10 overall mark. In year two, Vachon earned her second consecutive America East Coach of the Year award and again led Maine to the NCAA Tournament and an America East Championship while boasting a 25–8 mark. The 25 wins were the third most in a single-season in Maine women’s basketball history. Despite facing early season injuries in 2019, Vachon again rallied Maine back to a berth in the America East title game in 2020. The Black Bears put together an 18-win season, going 12–4 in league play, and ended the season riding a 10-game win streak, but were unable to compete in the title game due to COVID-19. Maine earned its fourth-straight appearance in the league championship in 2021 after working through the rigorous travel and off the court challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficult and unprecedented season, Vachon and the Black Bears earned the America East regular season title after a 17–2 regular season run.
