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Cheverus turns to assistant

By TOM CHARD, Staff Writer Tuesday, April 3, 2012

PORTLAND — Cheverus High didn´t have to look far to find Bob Brown´s replacement as varsity boys´ basketball coach. The person has been sitting on the same bench for much of the past eight years.

Dan Costigan, who became an assistant coach with the program in 2004 and is an English teacher at the school, was named Tuesday to replace Brown.

It should be a smooth transition.

"It´s absolutely the best choice," said Athletic Director Gary Hoyt. "Dan is experienced at many different levels. He understands the school´s values, having been a student, an athlete, a coach and a teacher here. Dan is a true Cheverian who is exceptionally well-qualified to lead our boys´ program.

"We are fortunate to have someone already in house so we could move in that direction."

Costigan, who graduated from Cheverus in 1982, was an outstanding athlete in basketball, outdoor track and football, which he played for two seasons at the school.

He led Cheverus to back-to-back Class A basketball championships in 1981 and ´82, and was team captain as a senior, averaging 16 points and winning the Vinall Trophy as the most valuable player of the Western Class A tournament.

"I think they chose the best person they could possibly choose," said Brown, who retired last week after coaching basketball for 52 years.

"Danny does things the right way. He´s a man of oustanding character as well as being extremely knowledgeable in the game of basketball."

In Brown, Costigan knows he is replacing one of the true coaching icons in the state.

"I have had an incredible experience working with Coach Brown," said Costigan. "He has been a mentor, a boss and a great friend.

"Following a coach of his talents is never easy. All I can do is be myself and work as hard as I can."

Costigan, a graduate of the University of Maine, has experience as a head coach in both high school and college.

He was the head coach at Scarborough High from 1988-92, then at the University of Southern Maine from 1997-03.

In 2001, he was named the Little East Conference coach of the year.

Costigan lives in South Portland with his wife, Kris, and their three children -- Nick, Sean and Colleen.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH