Carter to replace Heidorf
as UMPI women’s coach
PRESQUE ISLE — An assistant coach from an NAIA program in Kentucky has been tabbed as the new coach of the University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team.
Doug Carter was selected to succeed Marc Heidorn as the Owls’ coach as well as the university’s sports information director. 
“Doug is a proven recruiter with a record of improving programs in the collegiate ranks,” said UMPI Athletic Director Paul Stone. “I think he is a good fit and we expect him take the program to new heights on and off the court.”
Stone was pleased with the work provided by the women’s basketball search committee and its chair, men’s head coach Jim Casciano, in landing the coach quickly after Heidorf had resigned just two months earlier.
Carter joins the Owls from University of the Cumberlands, which was ranked as high as No. 5 nationally in NAIA Div. I. The team won both the regular season and Mid-South Conference championships during the 2011-12 campaign. During his three years with the team, UC beat 14 teams ranked in the NAIA top 25 and this past season, the squad lost in the NAIA national tournament by just five points to the eventual champion Westmont College.
While at UC, Carter helped develop three All-Americans, two of which are currently playing professionally.
“I am extremely honored to have been chosen to lead the women’s basketball program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle,” Carter said. “I would like to thank [President] Schott, Paul Stone and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity.
“I loved the community. The close-knit, family atmosphere of the college staff was so welcoming and I can’t wait to get started working with these talented young ladies.”
Prior to his stint at UC, Carter was an assistant at the University of Virginia-Wise from 2006-2010. In his final season there, Carter was named interim head coach and charged with the task of transitioning the basketball program into the NAIA Div. I level.
Known for his ability to recruit and quickly change the fortunes of programs he has been a part of, his teams have seen a double digit improvement in wins three times in his career. UC improved from 16 wins to 28 in his first year there in 2010-11.
He began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lock Haven (Pa.) University and quickly moved on as head coach of the U.S. Merchant Marine team during the 2004-05 campaign. The NCAA named his program the most improved in Div. III basketball as the Mariners saw their win total increase by 13. He then moved on for a short stint at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh before taking the University of Virginia-Wise job and eventually heading to his last stop at the University of the Cumberlands.
Prior to the college positions, he coached high school basketball for five seasons.
At UMPI, Carter is once again looking to establish a winning basketball program, taking over an Owls’ team that under Heidorf recovered from an 0-8 start to record an 8-17 mark during the 2012-13 season.
Carter is a native of Williamsport, Pa. and earned bachelor’s and masters degrees at Lock Haven University.
