Five years ago Joe Harasymiak was a graduate assistant. Heck, let's wind the clock back even further. Seven years ago he was in college, and 11 years ago he was in high school.
On Wednesday the 29-year-old Harasymiak was named head coach at Maine.
"I am extremely excited and honored to be chosen as the next head football coach here at the University of Maine," Harasymiak said in a statement. "To think of all of the great head coaches who have come through here, and to be selected to be part of that group, is humbling. I can't wait to get started."
A native of Ridgewood, N.J., Harasymiak graduated from Springfield College in 2008 and immediately jumped into an assistant role at Maine Maritime Academy. He returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant with the defensive backs and wide receivers in 2009-10, then joined the Black Bears as a defensive assistant in the secondary in 2011. He was promoted to full-time defensive backs coach in 2012, then again to defensive coordinator in 2014.
After leading Maine's defense to a top 20 finish this fall, Harasymiak was named interim head coach on Nov. 24 and emerged as the best candidate during the search process.
"We are delighted for his ability to continue the excellence of Black Bear football and are excited for the opportunity for him to make a lasting impact on the program," Maine athletics director Karlton Creech said.
He takes over a program that went 3-8 in 2015. Harasymiak will earn $150,000 a year over a four-year contract.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.