HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton boys basketball team will have a new, but familiar face guiding the squad next winter as Travis Gentle was announced Friday as the new varsity basketball coach.
“Coach Gentle is a familiar face within the RSU 29 athletic community and we are excited to have him assume this new role,” said Superintendent Ellen Halliday. “While we had a number of excellent candidates, with his successful and long history of coaching in RSU 29 and his track record of building positive relations with student athletes, Travis emerged as the best candidate for the job.”
He replaces Tim Brewer, who led the Houlton High School boys basketball team to a 57-24 record in four seasons and the 2019 Class C North championship, before stepping down at the end of this past season. Brewer, who also coached numerous years at Central Aroostook, has a career record of 308-88 (.778).
Coach Gentle most recently served as the junior varsity coach of the Shiretowner boys basketball program, working alongside Brewer. He has served in this capacity since 2016. Gentle has also coached varsity softball at the high school since 2013.
He began his coaching career in RSU 29 back in 1994 as the junior varsity boys soccer coach. His coaching career also included positions as a junior high basketball coach in both RSU 29 and SAD 70.
“I am thankful and excited for this opportunity,” shared Gentle. “I am looking forward to working with the kids, and working toward many successful seasons.”
Gentle’s background includes a wealth of volunteering beginning at the Houlton Rec Department right out of high school. In addition, he has volunteered and coached for the Houlton Little League, AYBL EMBL, and AAU basketball teams.
