Football coach and health and physical education teacher Bryan Dionne announced this will be his last year at Boothbay Region High School. Dionne submitted his resignation last week and will be returning to where his education career began.

Dionne arrived in Boothbay Harbor seven years ago after completing seven years teaching kindergarten through eighth grade in Bar Harbor. During his tenure in Boothbay Harbor, Dionne received Maine’s Health Teacher of the Year Award in 2014. He has also been the head football and assistant track and field coach.

His decision to leave BRHS was based on “doing what’s best for (his) family.”

“It’s really been a tough decision. I have valued my time here with these kids, and the relationships I developed with the administration, teaching staff, students and players. They will all last a lifetime,” he said.

Dionne had several years of football coaching experience at Orono and Mount Desert Island high schools prior to taking his first head coaching position. As an assistant coach, he learned a great deal from Orono coach Bob Lucy and MDI coach Mark Shields. But his greatest coaching influence came from his Winslow High School football coach Jim Poulin. Dionne, a former high school halfback and defensive back,  described Poulin as “the reason why (he’s) in teaching.”

“He’s a remarkable man,” Dionne said. “He taught me the importance of saying thank you. It costs you nothing, but it really makes a positive difference in people’s daily lives.”

During his final season as Boothbay Region football coach, the team didn’t play a varsity schedule. The school opted to play as a club sport due to low roster numbers and an inexperienced squad. Next season, BRHS will play in the newly created Class E. Dionne believes the new classification is good news for the football program’s future success. Dionne credits recent Boothbay football teams’ dedication as saving the sport in Boothbay Harbor.

“The kids in this program are awesome. They work hard and play with heart. It’s really a great group of kids and I think with the new class they’re going to have a great season,” he said.

Dionne also credits his players’ families for making a contribution to the football program. Football parents have provided additional support to the program through purchasing new equipment or providing post-game meals.

“The parents have been extremely supportive of the program by making sure we either had food at the game or for a long bus ride following one. Whatever we’ve needed they have been there for us,” he said.

Dionne expects to continue coaching in the future. “Whether it’s on the field or in the classroom. I love to teach. So, of course, I expect to coach for many  years to come,” Dionne said.

Athletic Director Allan Crocker said an advertisement seeking Dionne’s replacement will be placed in local publications.