Auburn, ME – Head baseball coach Ryan Palmer has been leading the program since January 2020. To say he had a typical start to his head coaching role at CM would be an understatement.
Coming into the job half way through the academic year can be tough enough in terms of connecting with the team, not being able to recruits kids to the program and implementing everything you want to as a head coach. Throw in the COVID-19 pandemic and life as we know it hasn't been the same since. College athletics were cancelled, students were sent home to continue learning remotely, and everyone needed to practice social distancing. Doesn't necessarily help a new head coach build their program as they had originally planned. "COVID hit two months after I was hired. It was a nightmare. Where we play in the fall and spring, we essentially lost three seasons. But it gave me a chance to bring in assistant coach Brett Turenne and do some heavy recruiting, so it all worked out," said Palmer.
Despite the obstacles that Palmer had to go through in his first few years at the realm, he recently led the Mustangs to their first 30-win season in program history. Something that is quite meaningful on a number of levels for Palmer as he himself is a former Mustang baseball player. During his time at CM, he was named First Team NNESSC in 2000 and First Team NNESCC in 2003. Walking through Kirk Hall on campus, you will even see some of Ryan Palmer's accomplishments enshrined in the trophy case. When speaking about his experience as a Mustang, Palmer had nothing but good things to say, "My experience at CM was more than I could have asked for. There's nothing quite like CM. My baseball coaches Dan Coleman, Jamie Lobb, and Marc Gosselin were all great. Administration was top notch like its always been. I was far enough away from home to be away, but close enough to go home when I wanted."
While still a player at CM, Palmer was able to be the assistant coach at Mountain Valley from 2001-2006. Due to CM baseball only playing in the fall at the time, it allowed him to get his foot in the door on the coaching side of baseball. Palmer started his head coaching career in 2007 at Mt.Abram High School. He was MVC Coach of the Year in 2009. In 2011, he took over at Dirigo High School where he won back-to-back state championships in 2012 and 2013. During his 10 years at Dirigo, Palmer was named MVC Coach of the Year three times and compiled nearly 200 wins in 13 years as a high school head coach. If asked about his coaching philosophy, it is an easy answer for Palmer, "I am a coach because of my passion from my work. I am able to foster the growth of my players through the numerous opportunities I am fortunate to provide. I will teach a group of individuals to communicate, to be responsible and to hold themselves accountable. I take pride in having former players become great coaches themselves. Cody St.Germain, Mason Corriveau, Bryce Whittemore and Cody Dolloff come to mind. "
For Palmer, the most exciting aspect of coaching at the college level is the recruiting process. "When you get a chance to win a player over and have them commit to your school, it's very rewarding," added Palmer. Being able to share his passion of baseball and his love for CM is the perfect combination when recruiting and clearly it is paying off for the program. He is a player's coach. He likes to keep things loose and have fun. However, when it's time to get serious and take care of business, the team knows when that is.
The connection Palmer has with his players and coaching staff is evident in the way they trust and respect his coaching decisions. If you ever wonder if this team has fun, all you have to do is watch them play. From listening to each player's walkout song to hearing them cheer each other on after a good play or a scoring a run. Coach Palmer has brought in a great group of young men that love baseball and love playing for him. Don't sleep on the Mustangs. They have their eyes set on a deep playoff run this Spring!
