The opening in the program became official at a Negaunee Public Schools board meeting on Monday evening. The NPS Facebook page posted the position as one of three coaching jobs open on Wednesday morning, the other two being for freshmen girls basketball and middle school cross country.

“We are accepting applications for our head boys varsity basketball position,” Negaunee athletic director Paul Jacobson said in an email statement. “Coach Waterman has resigned from his duties as head varsity boys basketball coach.”

Waterman took over the position in 2014, coming from Munising. He compiled a record of 123-50 in Negaunee and won two MHSAA Class C district tournament titles and one Class C regional title.

In the middle of his eight seasons in April 2018, Waterman was not renewed for the position by the NPS board, but about 50 people, including former players, came to a subsequent meeting supporting his continued tenure, and the board reversed its decision of the previous week.

Negaunee coach Dan Waterman yells instructions to Miners' players during a Class C district tournament game played at Ishpeming High School on March 11, 2015. Waterman was a finalist for Class ABC Coach of the Year in the Upper Peninsula that season. (Journal file photo)

In four seasons at Munising, Waterman led the Mustangs to a 68-23 record and the program’s first district title since 1957.

He has also served as a men’s assistant basketball coach at Northern Michigan University and was the head varsity boys basketball coach at Westwood for three seasons.

Travis Nelson can be reached by email at tnelson@miningjournal.net.

Negaunee coach Dan Waterman protests a call during the Miners' game against Manton in the Class C quarterfinals played at Petoskey High School on March 21, 2017. (James Gensterblum photo)