Coach: Decision Made 'Long' Ago Not to Return This Year

Winnacunnet High School girls' basketball head coach Ed Beattie has told the Hampton Union that his decision to resign isn't sudden and has nothing to do with the quality of the program, but rather that there is "limited" support for head coaches and an "ever-increasing" amount of "stress, strain, and expectations" from the administrative structure at the Hampton school.

Multiple attempts by Hampton-North Hampton Patch to reach Beattie — who has lead WHS to seven state championships, including five straight between 2007 and 2011 — were unsuccessful Thursday.

Beattie reportedly told the Hampton Union that he has made "people above [him]" aware of his "concerns" related to "stuff" making it "increasingly difficult to be a head coach" at WHS, although he said those concerns have gone "unheeded." Beattie reportedly made it clear to administrators last season that he planned to reject a contract for a 32nd year as head coach due to this issue, and refuted that his resignation on Tuesday was sudden.

“I only got my contract [for the coaching position] in my mailbox on Monday,” Beattie reportedly told the Hampton Union. “So I can't resign what I haven't been offered. The administration here was well aware I was not coming back long before my contract was offered [to] me and my resignation went in the next morning. So the idea of, why I waited so long, is not accurate. Sorry. There were people in administration positions here that were well aware I was not coming back and they were told that.”

A parent told Hampton-North Hampton Patch that members of the team are "very upset" about Beattie's resignation.

WHS Athletic Director Carol Dozibrin spoke to Hampton-North Hampton Patch Thursday, and declined to "make any speculation" about why Beattie may be leaving because she said "there was not a real reason listed" on Beattie's resignation letter.

"I was surprised, but I think it’s a situation where he’s been with the girls basketball program and running the girls basketball program for over 30 years, so I guess it’s a natural thing that after a certain amount of time that he would decide not to coach anymore," said Dozibrin.

Dozibrin praised Beattie during her conversation with Patch, stating it will be difficult to replace him because he's "one of the hardest working persons" she has ever met and he had a special focus on "helping young women to make good decisions to grow up as young women through the sport of basketball."

"He is extremely knowledgeable — he’s always on his game when it comes to basketball," said Dozibrin, who said Beattie "has run a fabulous program" during his 33 total years at WHS. "He knows the game inside and out. He is able to completely dissect his opponent to prepare his teams to go out and compete, and compete quite well. He has very well-run, well-organized practices so his players are always game-ready."

Dozibrin said the open coaching position has been officially posted, and she said her "goal is to have someone in place for the start of the season" on Nov. 19, which is "the first day they can possibly practice."

The first game is on Dec. 7, and Dozibrin said she'd "like to give the process a chance to work" before discussing an interim head coach should no one be selected by the start of the season or by the first game.