MERRIMACK — Following the unexpected resignation of the high school’s athletic director earlier this summer, school officials have hired a replacement for Andy Krahling.

Eric Sabean, the former athletic director at Maine Maritime Academy, has been chosen for the top athletic position at Merrimack High School.

Sabean joins a school that was rocked by a controversy this spring that saw Krahling and baseball coach Ryan Anderson both resign.

Trouble began when Anderson, who was under suspension by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, attended his team’s warm-up before a state tournament quarterfinal game against Exeter on June 5. The NHIAA Sportsmanship Committee asked Johnson to investigate the incident after Anderson and Krahling voluntarily resigned following the violation.

“As a school, we need to go forward from this,” Principal Ken Johnson said when the NHIAA opted to take no action against Merrimack for the incident.

Sabean represents a step forward, Johnson said. Sabean will begin his new duties Monday. He has been working at Maine Maritime, a college in Castine, Maine, for about two years. Previously, he served for 12 years as the assistant director of athletics at Saint Anselm College and was previously a high school physical education teacher.

“We are absolutely very excited with this selection. I think (Sabean) will be the best fit for Merrimack High School right now and in the future,” Johnson said.

According to his biography, Sabean obtained a physical education degree from Keene State College, and a sports administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

About 50 applicants applied for the position at Merrimack. One of Sabean’s first duties will be to fill coaching vacancies, including a spot left Anderson.

A committee was formed to review the 50 resumes, which then narrowed the field of candidates, interviewed the applicants and provided three final recommendations to Johnson.

“I was very impressed with all three finalists,” he said, thanking interim athletic director Peter Bergeron for assisting in the search process and finding a highly qualified replacement in such a short time period.

When asked whether Anderson could potentially be re-hired, Johnson previously stressed that the decision will lie with the newly hired athletic director.

“He is eager and ready to go,” Johnson said of Sabean.

- - - - - - - -

Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.