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Jordan Stevens has saved his job at helm of UMaine football

The University of Maine is not necessarily a football school. However, it’d be irresponsible to have zero expectations for the team. Multiple former Black Bears sculpted lucrative NFL careers, and the team made the FCS Semifinals as recently as 2018. Maine is not as far from making an impact on the national level as many believe.

However, since the departure of Head Coach Nick Charlton, who now works for the Cleveland Browns, the Black Bears scuffled under the leadership of program alumnus Jordan Stevens. Consecutive 2-9 seasons in his first two years in charge led many Black Bear fans to start speculating about his future as head coach.

After an embarrassing home defeat against Monmouth at the hands of his former quarterback, social media comments were flooded with calls for Stevens to be shown the door. Under his leadership since 2021, Maine fans have been treated to bottom-five offenses and defenses in the Coastal Athletic Association. Stevens’ in-conference record heading into this season was a dismal 3-13. The team appeared to regress in his second season at the helm, in part due to a struggling defense and conference-worst rushing attack in 2023. 

Cynical football followers in the Bangor area compiled a substantial dossier of evidence against the former Black Bear player-turned-coach, which points to the 2024 campaign being a make-or-break year for Stevens.

In my opinion he’s already made it. My personal benchmark for Stevens in 2024 was to reach four wins, including two conference wins ideally. Through five games the Black Bears are 3-2, meaning they haven’t yet reached that four-win number, but I’m sold anyway. 

Maine showed they have a renewed level of fight in their road contest against Merrimack on Sept. 21. Stevens’ squad trailed 15-6 at halftime before exploding for 20 unanswered points to seal a 20-16 comeback victory. The defense was outstanding in the second half, and the rush and pass offenses appeared to make substantial adjustments to secure the Black Bears’ second victory of the season.

Maine far outpaced Merrimack offensively and won the turnover battle, showing increased morale and a belief that they could fight their way back into that game in enemy territory. I credit coach Stevens for making that possible. 

The Black Bears didn’t stop there, as Saturday, September 28, they marched into Albany to steal a commanding victory over the nation’s 21st ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This game was perhaps the first in Jordan Stevens’ coaching tenure in which Maine put forward a complete four-quarter performance in all three phases of the game to out-grind a heavily favored opponent. It also marks Stevens’ first time holding a winning record with Maine. 

Maine pounded the ball on the ground all game with their three-pronged rushing attack of Jaharie Martin, Tavion Banks and Carter Peevy. Maine outpaced the University of Albany Great Danes by nearly 100 rushing yards and ten total first downs gained. The Black Bears held the ball twice as long as UAlbany, and their passing attack was stellar as quarterback Carter Peevy carved up the Danes for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

Kicker Joey Bryson made two of three tough field goals and the Black Bears limited kicking and returning mistakes, showing improvement in the special teams unit. The defense looked excellent, tamping down a heralded UAlbany air raid attack by forcing two crucial interceptions. Izaiah Henderson led the interior defensive line, recording a sack and multiple tackles for loss. 

Maine even showed a little offensive trickery, as wide receiver Montigo Moss slung a successful two-point try in a manner very reminiscent of when his father, Randy Moss, pulled off the same play with the Minnesota Vikings in the 1990s. 

By and large, the energy appears to be up on the Maine sidelines. Players are taking increased leadership roles. There also seems to be a belief amongst the players that they can do damage and stun some opponents, a mentality that has been sorely missing throughout Stevens’ tenure as head coach.

Stevens has seven more games to work with this year, but in my opinion he’s already proven that he has what it takes to spearhead the Black Bears for at least another year while they continue to find their rhythm.


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