Amy Vachon, who has been named the America East Coach of the Year four times in her first six seasons as the head coach of the University of Maine women’s basketball team, has been rewarded with a four-year contract extension.
Vachon will also receive a pay increase, bringing her salary to $210,000 beginning July 1 and she will receive a yearly raise of $8,000 thereafter, the university announced Tuesday.
The 45-year-old Vachon is currently earning $185,000 per year after receiving a four-year deal in March, 2021.
Vachon has compiled an overall record of 143-76 and that includes a 94-25 record in America East regular season play. Her teams are 73-23 overall at home.
The Black Bears are currently 13-8 overall and 6-1 in America East heading into a Thursday home game against UMass Lowell.
Her teams have won four America East regular season titles and back-to-back tournament crowns in 2017-18 and 2018-19 which earned the Black Bears berths in the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m excited to continue to work with Jude (UMaine athletic director Jude Killy) and President (Joan) Ferrini-Mundy,” said Vachon. “I’m thankful to them for their belief in me and their support. It’s crucial to what we do. And, of course, our players and our staff. It’s exciting. I love Maine.”
She was hired by Richard Barron as an assistant coach at her alma mater on May 16, 2011, and was named the interim head coach when Barron stepped down for health reasons during the 2016-17 season. She guided them to an 11-7 record, 9-6 in conference play, and a berth in the America East championship game.
She was named the full-time head coach for the following year.
Vachon, who guided Catherine McAuley High School to the state Class A championship in 2011, has been inducted into four Halls of Fame: UMaine, Maine State, Maine Basketball and New England Basketball.
“She is one of the longest tenured coaches in the league and has been tremendously successful,” said Killy. “The culture she has built is impressive and we want to provide her with the opportunity to continue her success and sustain that window as long as possible.
“She’s the right person to do that,” Killy added.
He also said she and her staff sincerely care about their players and the players have excelled in the classroom as well as on the basketball court.
The way she and her staff develop players is also impressive, he said.
Junior forward Adrianna Smith was the America East Player of the Year last year after averaging just 7.2 minutes of playing time her freshman year.
Forward Maeve Carroll went from averaging 6.7 minutes and 18.7 minutes per game in her first two seasons to a three-time All-America East second team selection and career 1,000-point scorer. She was the program’s 24th 1,000-point scorer and her 783 rebounds were ninth-most in program history.
“Amy has brought UMaine back to a mid-major powerhouse over her tenure as the head coach,” said Albany head coach Colleen Mullen. “Under Amy’s leadership, her program consistently produces championship level teams and scholar-athletes.
“She is a proven recruiter and player-developer who has an exceptional mind and feel for the game.
“The future is bright for UMaine!,” Mullen added.
Vachon wants to continue to improve as a coach.
“I try to learn every day,” said Vachon. “Every day and every year is different. Different challenges. You grow each year so I intend to continue doing that.”
Vachon is an Augusta native. The former Black Bear point guard owns the UMaine and America East records for assists in a career with 759. She also holds the UMaine record for assists in a season (234).
