Maine Maritime Academy director of athletics Steve Peed appointed Cedric Gillette to be the Mariners next men's basketball head coach on Sep. 16, 2024.
"In our conversations leading up to this search among the committee members and the team, we identified that we needed a chief energy officer to capitalize on the foundation that Coach (Dan) McNeely had set down," said Peed. "Cedric most definitely brings unbridled passion and energy into the building and he was hungry for this opportunity. He earned this position at every stage from his initial email, in the resume screening, in the first round and he absolutely knocked it out of the park when he arrived on campus.
"I have sat through hundreds of interviews in my career and have never seen a candidate come into the space more thoroughly and meticulously prepared. He is a student of the game, he is a student of coaching, and he emerged from a talented and experienced pack as the clear person to lead Maine Maritime's basketball players and work alongside our amazing staff."
Gillette added: "I'm super excited for the opportunity to become the next head coach for Maine Maritime Academy Men's Basketball. I want to thank Steve Peed and Associate Athletic Director Tricia Carver for believing in me. When the job first came open, I was initially enticed by the amount of returning talent on the roster and the more I've learned about the Academy, the more excited I've become. From the moment I got to campus it has been clear that MMA is a special place. I can't wait to get to work and start competing for North Atlantic Conference championships."
Gillette comes to Maine Maritime after serving as an assistant coach with NCAA Division I Merrimack College out of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He helped the 2023-24 Warriors to a 21-12 overall record (setting the program's season wins total as a Division I member) and a 13-3 record for a share of the regular-season title in the Northeast Conference--their last season in the NEC. He was part of the coaching staff that saw the program clean up conference postseason awards: Jordan Derkack (Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-NEC), Adam "Budd" Clark (Rookie of the Year, Second Team All-NEC, NEC All-Rookie Team) and Bryan Etumnu (NEC Most Improved Player).
Gillette was a five-year member of the Merrimack baseball team as a starting pitcher. He won 13 games and struck out 94 batters in 180 innings.
Gillette chose the hardwood over the diamond as his vocation. He first joined the Warriors men's basketball coaching staff in 2022-23 as a graduate assistant. Merrimack swept the NEC regular-season and tournament championships. He played a vital role in the development of the conference player and rookie of the years. He helped the team become the best defensively by points per possession in the history of the NEC. Last season, he was elevated to quality control assistant coach. Over the summer, he was promoted for a third time to full-time assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
"I've been extremely lucky to be around some really great coaches in my life. I played for some legendary coaches in high school and have had the opportunity to coach under a great coach in Coach Gallo at Merrimack College," Gillette said about how his experience has helped him prepare for his first head coaching role at MMA. "I've also been really lucky to be around some great assistant coaches at Merrimack in Micky Burtnyk, Phil Gaetano, Chris Mohr, Juvaris Hayes and Jimmy Langhurst--learning so much from them in my two-plus years at MC. I've also been lucky enough to coach some great players at Merrimack, which has led to a lot of success. I plan on bringing all that I've learned from these people to MMA to create a consistent winner in Castine."
A three-sport Andover (Mass.) High School in baseball, basketball and football, Gillette is a two-time graduate of Merrimack. He was the AHS Athlete of the Year and the Eagle Tribune newspaper's Regional Three-Sport Athlete of the Year.
He received a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 2022 and earned his master's degree in management two years later.
Gillette isn't shying away from expectations and believes the foundation of success is present in the program, which McNeely led to double-digit wins in each of the last two seasons for the first time in 16 years. "I know it's the classic coaches cliche to talk about culture on Day 1, but it all starts there. We are going to be a fearless, relentless and selfless team that plays every defensive possession like we are up 2 with 25 seconds left in the national championship game and plays freely and for each other on the offensive end. The fans can expect a team that is exciting to watch, easy to root for, and keeps them coming back to Margaret Chase Smith Gymnasium for more."
Gillette, 25, is the son of Dan and Dawn Gillette.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CEDRIC GILLETTE
Joe Gallo, Merrimack Men's Basketball Head Coach:
"Maine Maritime is getting themselves a superstar with Cedric. He is a high energy, tireless worker who is obsessed with doing whatever it takes to win. The players and the entire MMA community will absolutely love him. It won't be long before they are cutting down nets!"
David Fazio, Andover High School Boys' Basketball Head Coach:
"We are so excited that Cedric has this opportunity. In my 35 years as the head basketball coach at Andover High School, Cedric is in the 1% of favorite players, most knowledgeable players and leaders. He is going to bring a level of intensity, passion and desire that will be second to none and will make your Academy proud. Cedric brings a wealth of experience from playing in our program and from what he learned at Merrimack under an elite coach in Joe Gallo. Your program will immediately benefit from having Cedric on campus. Cedric is like a son to me and Maine Maritime Academy now has a new No. 1 fan."
Steve Tower, Vice President of Basketball Relations at the Basketball Hall of Fame:
"I have had the privilege of watching Cedric coach, and I believe he brings a skillset that has everything Maine Maritime would want as its new leader of the men's basketball program. The X's and O's and his knowledge of the game is off the charts. He is a hands-on, meticulous, attention-to-detail kind of coach. His work ethic is second to none and will outwork any other coach. He is demanding and unrelenting in his expectations of his players on and off the court, coupled with an ability to let his players know he truly cares for them. What makes him unique is how he relates to young people. He has an amazing ability to communicate his vision and message in a way that resonates with today's (student-athletes). Cedric is a leader and someone who can be trusted to always do the right thing and run your basketball program. He will take young men and make them not only better players but better men. MMA is in great hands with Cedric Gillette. He's going to be one of the great ones."
Tricia Carver, Maine Maritime Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator:
"Twelve years ago, Mariners Athletics gave me an opportunity to be a first-time collegiate head coach and lead a very special Mariners volleyball program. I now have the incredible privilege to be part of extending that opportunity to Coach Gillette. I cannot wait to be part of supporting his experience here at MMA and cheering on our team under his leadership. Cedric distinguished himself in every interaction throughout the interview process. There is a steely determination arriving with Coach Gillette this Monday that I am certain will be a tremendous benefit to both our men's basketball team as well as our department."
Craig Dagan, Maine Maritime Women's Basketball Head Coach:
"I am really excited to be working alongside Coach Gillette! I think this is a great hire and one that can transform the men's program here at MMA. We knew from the moment we spoke with him that he was different and was certainly ready for this opportunity. The Mariners Men's Basketball program and its players, alumni, and future recruits are in good hands."
