Former UMaine assistant coach embraces challenge of replacing USM baseball legend

To say Scott Heath has big shoes to fill as the new head baseball coach at the University of Southern Maine would be an understatement.

Outgoing head coach Ed Flaherty, who retired after 39 seasons, has been inducted into six Halls of Fame thanks to his 1,133-532-4 record, two NCAA Division III championships (1991, 1997), and eight College World Series appearances.

But Heath, who was the associate head coach at the University of Maine this past season after being an assistant with the Division I program since 2019, said he will embrace the challenge.

“I am honored to be in this spot. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Coach Flaherty. He is, literally, one of the best coaches in NCAA history. What he has built here is something special. I am looking to continue that legacy and keep the program at that standard,” said Heath, a 2015 UMaine graduate.

Heath said UMaine head coach Nick Derba helped him develop his coaching skills and that he feels prepared for the job.

“I want to keep USM baseball where it belongs,” said the former UMaine two-time first team All-America East player and 2011 Maine Gatorade Player of the Year from Westbrook High School.

Derba said he is happy that Heath is getting the opportunity to lead his own team and expressed confidence in his ability to maintain USM’s winning tradition.

“He’s going to do a great job there,” Derba said.

Huskies director of athletics Al Bean praised Heath in a press release.

“He possesses a tremendous love of the game, work ethic, grit and determination and he has demonstrated his experience and success as a recruiter,’’ Bean stated. “I am confident that Scott has the ability to successfully lead the Huskies program into the next era and solidify its prominence among the very best in NCAA Division III.”

Heath began his coaching career at UMaine before a brief stint as an assistant/associate head coach at NCAA Division III Mitchell College in New London, Conn. where he helped the Mariners set a school record for single-season wins with 34.

He then returned to UMaine as a pitching coach/recruiting coordinator.

He had also served as the head coach of the Norsemen in the first-year Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League in 2017 and led the team to the title.

“That’s when I knew I wanted to be a head coach,” said Heath.

Flaherty built his program into one of the nation’s best at the Division III level primarily with in-state players and Heath intends to continue that practice.

“I think if I can continue to get the best kids in Maine, I’ll still be able to compete nationally,” said Heath. “There is always going to be a guy who goes to UConn and a couple guys who will go to UMO (Maine).’’

Heath does not envision changing Flaherty’s approach to the game.

“Our teams are going to be like the ones Coach Flaherty built. He had a lot of Maine guys who were tough, physical kids and super competitive. That’s kind of similar to what we tried to build at Maine the last five years,” Heath said.

UMaine won the America East tournament championship in 2023, the Black Bears’ first since 2011.

Heath said he has been in touch with Flaherty and received the former coach’s support.

“I’m excited and thankful. Ed has been super helpful throughout the whole process and told me to call him any time I needed to go over anything. I want to keep him involved in the program as much as he wants to be. That’s important to me,” said Heath.

Heath will make in the vicinity of $50,000 per year, he said.

His teams will play on Ed Flaherty Field in Gorham and he said it is a beautiful ballpark that is well-maintained and had a new playing surface installed a few years ago.

He landed the job right before his 32nd birthday on July 15 and he considers it an early birthday present.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more than this,” said Heath.