Standish, ME - Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has announced that Christopher Willer BS ’04 MS ‘15 will serve as its next Director of Athletics and Recreation. Willer has served as an assistant professor of Sport and Exercise Science at the Standish college since 2017 and has been responsible for teaching seventeen academic courses and supervising internships and student teachers. He also established a coaching minor for interested SJC students. In 2025 Saint Joseph’s College presented Willer with the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.
A native of Bingham, Maine, Willer graduated cum laude from Saint Joseph’s College in 2004 with a bachelor of science in physical education. He competed for the Monks’ men’s basketball program under SJC Hall of Fame coach Rick Simonds from 2000-2002 and made appearances in forty-four games for the Royal Blue. In 2002, he played on the 2002 Maine Athletic Conference championship team. Later that fall, he participated on the Saint Joseph’s College men’s soccer team and was third on the team in scoring with three goals and three assists. In 2015, he earned a master of science in educational leadership from SJC.
Prior to his arrival at Saint Joseph’s College, Willer served for thirteen years as an educator for Regional School Unit #16. In that time, he was an instructor of physical education, health, and adaptive PE for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. In addition to his classroom responsibilities, he also worked in a variety of administrative roles, including a five-year period as athletic director at Minot Consolidated School and a stint as an interim principal in the same building.
Willer has been both a head and assistant coach at both the high school and collegiate levels since 2004. He was the varsity boys basketball coach at Poland Regional High School for four seasons and led the Knights to three postseason appearances during that time. For two seasons, he was an assistant girls soccer coach at Hebron Academy, where his work focused on skill development, physical conditioning, and game planning. From 2008-2011, he served as an assistant coach for the Saint Joseph’s College men’s basketball program under former coach Rob Sanicola and was heavily active in the team’s recruiting efforts. In 2009 the Monks won the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship and made an appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament.
"Saint Joseph's College is fortunate to have Chris Willer step up and accept the responsibility of being our next Athletic Director,” observed Saint Joseph’s College of Maine President Joseph Cassidy. “Chris has a tremendous amount of experience with Monks Athletics as an athlete, coach and supporter. He is a natural teacher and leader and the department will thrive under his guidance and support.”
Willer is excited about assuming the mantle of leadership for his alma mater’s athletic program and eagerly embraces the future. "As a former Monk, I am humbled by the opportunity to lead an athletics department that has such valued history and tradition,’ he said. “Saint Joseph's College is a very special place to me and I look forward to working alongside a phenomenal leadership team and outstanding coaching staff."
Willer assumed the reins of the Monks program on May 14, 2025.
