Lewiston varsity boys basketball coach Tim Farrar has resigned after 11 years at the helm.

Lewiston boys basketball coach talks to the media in February 2015. Sun Journal file photo

Lewiston athletic director Jason Fuller said Farrar “reflected on where (the program was) at and where he was at and decided it was probably best to step away” after the summer basketball session ended in late July.

“I appreciate the time he’s given to the school and the service,” Fuller said. “He’s an extremely hard worker. He’s done everything he could with our basketball program.”

In a statement texted to the Sun Journal, Farrar said “It has been a dream to be the coach of the Devils.”

“I’m thankful for the opportunity and support of the Lewiston community, parents, coaches, administration, athletic department and especially the players,” Farrar said.

“My family has always supported me in my pursuits and is behind me in this decision,” he added.

In his 11 years, Farrar compiled a 75-134 record, including 3-16 last season. The Blue Devils were eliminated in the Class AA North quarterfinals by Bangor, the eventual state champion.

Lewiston’s best seasons under Farrar were 2011-12 and 2014-15. The Blue Devils posted a 15-3 record during the 2011-12 season and earned the No. 2 seed in the Class A North tournament, only to be upset by No. 7 Edward Little in the quarterfinals.

Lewiston got revenge in 2015, when a team led by future NCAA track and field champion Isaiah Harris entered the tournament as the fourth seed and upset top-seeded EL in the regional semifinals. The Devils fell one win short of reaching their first state final since 1966, however, losing to eventual state champion Hampden Academy in the regional final to finish 13-8.

A 1997 Oxford Hills graduate, Farrar previously served as an assistant coach at both his alma mater and Bonny Eagle, as well as head varsity coach at Fort Kent, where he reached the Class B East tournament in three of his four years.

“Tim’s a great guy,” Fuller said. “He works real hard and cares about kids. He’s in it for the right reasons. That’s going to be hard to replace, a guy that understands what coaching’s really all about. That’s hard to find. We will do it. We’re going to find someone who wants to do it and wants to spend the time and we’ll go from there.”

Fuller said he hopes to find a replacement in the next month or so to give the new coach an opportunity to get settled in before preseason practices start in mid-November.

“I don’t want to wait too long so you’re at the eleventh hour trying to do things with someone new,” Fuller said. “He’s got to hire a whole new staff, freshman and JV (coaches). There’s some work to be done. That’s why I’d like to get it done right after Labor Day.”