Ellsworth boys basketball coach steps down after 17 seasons

Having led the Eagles to six regional title games and two state final appearances over the past 17 seasons, Ellsworth High School boys basketball coach Peter Austin decided it’s time to move on.

Austin submitted his letter of resignation to Athletic Director Josh Frost two weeks ago. He said he wants to allocate more time to his life outside of basketball, and feels comfortable with where he has left the program.

Most recently, Austin coached 2024 Mr. Maine Basketball Chance Mercier and company to three consecutive Class B North regular season titles, including 18-0 records in 2022 and 2023 and advancing to the state final in 2022.

“It’s just the right time. I feel good about it,” Austin said. “I’ve been coaching for a long time, and I want someone else to try it. We had some good ball players along the way, and there’s a good nucleus of players coming back.”

Returning for the Eagles will be rising seniors Hollis Grindal, Kyle Kenny and Brayden King, plus rising junior Dawson Curtis — each of whom fit perfectly into Ellsworth’s fast-paced offensive scheme, powered by its depth and high press.

Ellsworth compiled a 191-78 regular season record during Austin’s tenure, with just three losing seasons. The big win eluded Austin, however, who would have preferred to end his coaching career at Ellsworth with a victory.

The Eagles were knocked out of the tournament by eventual state champions Orono the past two years, and lost to Yarmouth 59-52 in the 2022 state championship game. Ellsworth also lost the 2016 Class B championship game versus Lake Region — the Eagles’ first title game appearance since Mr. Basketball Tim Scott’s senior year in 1988.

“I started thinking about [retiring] a couple of years ago, but I wanted to see if we could get it done with Chance and them,” Austin said. “It’s tough. We’ve been on both sides of some close games.”

Austin once suited up in Eagles threads himself, playing four years of varsity basketball at Ellsworth from 1980 to 1983 as a forward.

Austin is contemplating a return to coaching at the middle school level, where he got started as a 20-year-old in 1985, but wants to take some time off from coaching for now.

“There’s a lot of hours that go into coaching. Watching film, making practice plans, running summer camps and basketball leagues,” Austin said. “The summers were really challenging with my lawn care business. It was too much on my plate.”

Ellsworth hasn’t announced Austin’s successor, but Frost plans on having the post filled by June 16 in time for the summer coaching period sanctioned by the Maine Principals’ Association.

“We’re very thankful for all the years that Peter gave to the EHS boys basketball program, and the community of Ellsworth,” Frost said.