SALEM — After just one season and an 0-11 record, Adam Gagne announced yesterday he was stepped down as head football coach at Salem High.
Gagne left the Blue Devils to accept the head coaching job at Westford Academy, where he teaches business and served as offensive coordinator for three seasons before accepting the position at Salem. The Westford job became available after Rich McKenna left to become coach at Billerica.
“It was an extremely tough decision,” said Gagne. “I was, in no way, looking for a new job. But they approached me and after lots of time thinking, my wife and I decided it was best for me and my family to teach and coach in the same building.”
Gagne, a former star receiver at Haverhill High and Bentley University, was hired by Salem last February to succeed Jack Gati, who retired after 18 years with a 121-77 record. The 31-year-old had previously coached at Westford and, before that, as receivers coach at Merrimack College.
But his one-year tenure in Salem was a trying one.
The Blue Devils finished 0-11, their first winless season since The Eagle-Tribune began keeping records in 1982. The previous worst was a 2-7 mark in 1990. Salem struggled on both sides of the ball, being outscored 387-147 for the season, including a 28-0 loss on Thanksgiving Day to Lawrence.
“I am a competitor so I hate to leave it that way,” said Gagne. “The record didn’t really effect my decision at all. It is nothing against the players or the athletic program. It is always difficult to leave a place after one year, but I had to look at the big picture. Salem is a great town, but this was a great opportunity.”
McKenna, a Billerica native who was hired two weeks ago to replace the retiring Peter Flynn, was high on his former coordinator when he was hired last winter.
“Salem could not have picked a better candidate to lead their football program,” said McKenna last February. “Coach Gagne is a hard-working, bright, and innovative football coach. He brought tremendous energy to the practice and game fields while coaching at Westford.”
Salem athletic director Dave Rozumek didn’t return call for comment.
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
NFL Player Posts Photo of Himself Appearing to Pee on IRS Building
Are Sixers targeting Kelvin Sampson?
Recipe for Success: Phillies draft picks
Recipe for Success: Phillies at the trade deadline
Recipe for success: Ryan Howard
Phillies talks about struggling to win games
Utley on Halladay going on the DL
Is the bullpen in trouble without Mike Adams?
Mike Adams talks about his back pain
Matt Barkley on meeting his Fiancee in preschool
Matt Barkley on playing in Philadelphia
Evaluating Chip Kelly's practice methods
Larry Bowa on the Phillies' road trip
How does the hiring of Hinkie change the 76ers' coaching search?
Recipe for Success: Can the Eagles make the playoffs?
McCoy: Vick cheated to beat me
What did we learn from Chip Kelly's first practice?
Vick: 'I compete with myself more than anyone around me'
Bruins' defenseman Wade Redden On Potential Return
Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well?
Kevin Dupont discusses Bruins-Rangers Game 2
Globe 10.0: Is Lundqvist the key to the series?
Blakely: Rivers to return to Celtics next season
Globe 10.0: Do the Sox rely too much on Lester and Buchholz?
Bruins Talk About Rangers Blocking Shots
Bruins' Patrice Bergeron On Selke Award, Matchup With Rangers
Julien: 'I'm a tired coach'
Seguin: Thornton said he expected something from me in OT
Rask: 'It's really disappointing'
Julien: 'We've been a Jekyll and Hyde hockey club'
Farrell: Dealing with some frustration right now
Julien: Bergeron line needs to step up
Thornton: 'We should've been able to close'
Julien: We were in it because of Rask
Bruins know they need desperation in Game 6
Lester: 'I just wanted to be aggressive'
