AUGUSTA — The trustees of the Maine Community College System have named an interim president after John Fitzsimmons stepped down last week after coming under fire from Gov. Paul LePage.

The Morning Sentinel reports that Derek Langhauser, who has served as the system’s general counsel, will become interim president on Feb. 16.

The Republican governor said he wanted Fitzsimmons to resign because “nothing has happened in the last four years.” LePage officials have said the governor had concerns about the system’s decision to pull out of the Bridge Year Program and the delay in creating a process for transferring credits between community colleges and other colleges.

In the end, he removed himself, saying his presence jeopardized funding. A national search for a new president will start in March.