Maine native returning home to be head coach of Black Bears

ORONO, Maine (AP) - The University of Maine has turned to a former captain and assistant coach to serve as the next football coach.

Jordan Stevens, 34, was named head coach on Tuesday, replacing Nick Charlton, who resigned to take a job as offensive coordinator at the University of Connecticut.

Stevens told the Bangor Daily News that he's confident he can recruit the players he needs to compete for playoff berths every year.

'œWe are going to be a tough, disciplined program that competes in every game,'ť Stevens said. 'œWe will do a great job preparing for our opponents. Results will come from that.'ť

Ken Ralph, UMaine's director of athletics, said he's looking to Stevens to bring consistency to the program.

'œWe've had good years interspersed with more modest records,'ť Ralph said. 'œI want to find a way to sustain excellence.'ť

Stevens, a native of Temple, Maine, comes home after serving as co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Yale University.

Before that, he was an assistant coach at UMaine after playing for the Black Bears. During his playing time, Stevens was an All-Colonial Athletic Association and All-New England defensive end.