Head coach Dave Sterling talks to the Edward Little High School football team Friday before the start of the first game of 2021 against Bonny Eagle in Auburn in September. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Edward Little High School has conducted interviews and is taking the final steps to replace Dave Sterling — who was dismissed after coaching the school’s football team for the past 12 seasons.

“… We are narrowing down our finalists and doing some reference checks,” Edward Little Athletic Director Todd Sampson said. “We are hopeful we can put somebody in place fairly soon.”

Sterling said that it was difficult to find out in December that his services were no longer needed at his alma mater.

“Sampson asked me to leave,” Sterling, who frequently worked as a substitute teacher at Edward Little, said. “I was pretty spent from the process and to have him say something like that to me at the end-of-the-year interview … I filled out all my paperwork to return, and I was asked not to return.

“When he said that to me, I knew I was done coaching there. (Sampson) said it was about wins and losses. As you know, I devoted every ounce I had every year to that job. I was tired, and when I heard that from the athletic director, it was not good.”

Despite Sampson’s decision to find to a new head coach, the athletic director praised Sterling for his devotion to the program.

“When Dave and I left, we shook hands, we hugged,” Sampson said. “Now, it is his story to tell. It is his narrative.

“It doesn’t change anything I said about Dave. He is a tremendous man, great role model — all of those things.”

Sterling compiled a 32-65 record and steered the Red Eddies to six appearances in the Class A playoffs, including four quarterfinal and two semifinal games. Edward Little nearly went undefeated in 2017 with a 7-1 regular season record, then lost to Windham in the semifinals.

Sampson added that Sterling’s efforts and dedication were appreciated.

“Edward Little is a special place, right,” Sampson said. “I tell people that all the time. The experience at Edward Little is unique, and Dave was a huge part of that when he was a player here in the late ’80s and came back and gave back to our program for years. We are very appreciative of everything coach Sterling did for the football program here in Auburn.”

“We were not picked to win a football game my first year in 2010,” Sterling said. “Then we ended up losing to the Eastern Maine champion in a very tough football game in the playoffs.”

In that first season under Sterling, the Red Eddies went 5-3 before losing to Bangor in the quarterfinals.

“I have had such great athletes who played for me that time as well as wonderful parents and the community involvement,” Sterling said. “I wish there was more community involvement at times because there was a small number of people who worked in that grandstand club to try to support all the sports. Those people are dwindling.”

Edward Little head football coach Dave Sterling calls a play from the sidelines during a game against Oxford Hills in October 2021 at Walton Field in Auburn. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Sterling and Sampson both pointed out that coaching high school sports is really a year-round job of preparation.

“Not only is it year-round, but sometimes it is full-time,” Sampson said. “Dave’s commitment level was top-shelf from the day he walked into the locker room until the day he walked out of the locker room.” 

Sterling also said he was snubbed when he applied for a substitute position.

“I applied for a couple of long-term substituting positions (at Edward Little) and I wasn’t supported by the administration to get the job,” Sterling said. “I wasn’t even given an interview.”

Sterling is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, where he studied engineering.

“The (coaching) job meant a lot to me in my life with young men I was able to coach,” Sterling said. “It wasn’t just a matter of wins, losses, pay or anything like that. It was fulfilling job for me. That’s a part of life. It happens sometimes and you have to move on …

“I had a good career at Edward Little. I felt very happy with what I was able accomplish with the young men.”

Sterling added there were many rewards and challenges that came with job. He said players that he coached in the past “have wished me well and told me about the impact I had on their lives and that they learned about the game of life as well as football. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.”

Sterling said he is grateful to his devoted assistant coaches, including Ilunga Mutombo, Josh Barajus, Rob Farrington, Rick Lashua and Jeff Lagueux.

“I just want to make it clear that I love the people of Auburn, love the community,” Sterling said. “I have lived here almost all my life. It was a dream job to coach at Edward Little.”