Edmund L. Coombs
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 23, 1919 Boothbay Harbor, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 1986 (aged 66) Brunswick, Maine, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Men's basketball | |
| 1950–1957 | Bowdoin |
| Baseball | |
| 1969–1979 | Bowdoin |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1971–1981 | Bowdoin |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 52–82 (Men's basketball) 60–127 (Baseball) |
Edmund Lawrence Coombs (September 23, 1919 – February 7, 1986) was an American coach and administrator who was the athletic director and head men's basketball and baseball coach at Bowdoin College.
Early life
A native of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Coombs prepared for college at Boothbay Harbor High School and Hebron Academy.[1] He was a three sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) at Hebron and was the third ranking student in the class of 1938, which also included Amo Bessone.[2] He attended Bowdoin College, where he played catcher for the Polar Bears' baseball team and halfback on the football team.[1] He was captain of Bowdoin's 1942 baseball team.[3] Coombs graduated in the fall of 1942 and entered the United States Marine Corps.[4] He was a First lieutenant with the 3rd Marine Division and participated in island invasions in the Pacific War.[1]
Career
In 1946, Coombs returned to Bowdoin as an assistant football coach. He joined the athletic staff full time the following year as an assistant football and baseball coach.[1] He later served as the freshman basketball coach and in 1950, succeeded George Shay as varsity coach.[5] In seven seasons, he compiled a 52–82 record.[6] In 1957, he returned to the freshman team and was replaced by former Boston Celtics player Bob Donham.[7]
In 1969, Bowdoin's baseball coach Danny MacFayden was granted indefinite sick leave and Coombs succeeded him as varsity baseball coach.[8] In 1971, he took over as acting athletic director following the resignation of Daniel K. Stuckey.[9] He was given the AD's job the following June.[1] He resigned as baseball coach prior to the 1980 season.[10] His record over eleven seasons was 60–127.[3] In February 1981, Coombs announced that he would retire effective September 30.[10][11] Coombs died February 7, 1986 at a hospital in Brunswick, Maine.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d e "After Year as 'Acting', Coombs Is in Now As Bowdoin College A.D." Lewiston Evening Journal. June 24, 1972. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Hebron Turns Out Six Three Letter Men – All Rank High". The Lewiston Daily Sun. June 8, 1938. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ a b "Bowdoin College Baseball History" (PDF). Bowdoin Athletics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "10 Bowdoin Graduates to Enter Military Service". The Lewiston Daily Sun. September 15, 1942. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Coombs Succeeds Shay At Bowdoin". The Lewiston Daily Sun. November 16, 1950. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Bowdoin Men's Basketball History and Scores" (PDF). Bowdoin Athletics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Donham, Former Celtic Player, Bowdoin Coach". The Lewiston Daily Sun. September 20, 1957. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Ed Coombs to Coach Bowdoin Baseball-Harlow Frosh Mentor". Lewiston Evening Journal. March 7, 1969. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Stuckey Resigns Bowdoin AD Post". The Lewiston Daily Sun. August 3, 1971. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ a b Hertling, Jim (February 27, 1981). "Ed Coombs will retire as Bowdoin's Athletic Director". The Bowdoin Orient. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Veteran Bowdoin AD retiring Sept. 30". The Lewiston Journal. February 28, 1981. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ "Friday roundup". The Lewiston Journal. February 8, 1986. Retrieved February 8, 2026.