Donato Stepping Down At Lawrence HS

BREAKING NEWS: Maine's winningest active high school girls basketball coach, John Donato, is stepping down as coach and teacher at Lawrence High School in Fairfield.

Donato told his team the news last night.

His Bulldogs finished in 4th place in Class A North (12-6). He has 519 wins in over 40 years of coaching. Donato has been at Lawrence for the past seven years teaching science. His basketball teams have won 89 games.

Only Dick Barstow with 664 wins has more wins coaching girls teams in Maine. Gavin Kane and Rick Clark also have 500+ wins. Both spent some time coaching boys teams.

His coaching stints have included Houlton, Hall-Dale Mt. View, Messalonskee and Lawrence.

Donato told me that he may keep his hand in coaching somewhere in the future but not teach full time.

NOTE: Donato is the third high school hoops coach to step down in recent days. Tim Scott stepped down as Hampden Academy girls coach...Brian McDormand stepped down as Old Town boys coach.