Incoming Falmouth athletic director James Coffey has gotten a head start on his new position.

Coffey, who is under contract as the AD at Beverly High School in Beverly, Massachusetts until June 30, has already purchased a house in Falmouth and is eager to become Cooper Higgins’ replacement, effective July 1.

“My wife (Elizabeth) and I had discussed moving to southern Maine,” Coffey said. “My family has a place in Sanford, so I’ve spent time there. When the Falmouth job opened, I reached out to a few people I know and they told me it’s the best school district in the state with great athletics.”

Coffey, 34, is no stranger to athletic excellence himself. He played football, basketball and baseball at Winthrop (Massachusetts) High School, then played a couple seasons of baseball at Endicott College in Beverly. After coaching two years of baseball and one of football, he became, at the ripe young age of 23, a first-time athletic director at Winthrop High School. After three years there, he made the move to Beverly High, where he’s spent eight years.

Portland High athletic director Rob O’Leary, who like Coffey, made the move from Massachusetts to Maine, said that his former colleague in the Bay State will be a great fit at Falmouth.

“James brings the experience of a true leader who understands the importance of co-curricular activities in a student’s life,” O’Leary said. “James also understands the balance of family and school activities, which I think will be a great asset to the Falmouth community. Lastly, Falmouth gets an athletic director who will listen to concerns but always do what is best for student-athletes in any situation.”

Coffey said he was impressed with Falmouth from the moment he made the trip north for the interview process.

“I’ve had awesome interactions with everybody,” Coffey said. “When I came and spent a day in Falmouth for the finalist round, I feel like I met the whole town. People in Falmouth obviously care about athletics and their kids. I look at that as a positive.”

Superintendent of Falmouth Schools Geoff Bruno is excited that Coffey is coming aboard.

“Mr. Coffey brings with him a wealth of expertise and experience,” Bruno said, in a letter to the community. “Those who had the opportunity to meet James were impressed with his ability to connect with parents, coaches, students and school leaders while also articulating a clear vision for Falmouth athletics. We are looking forward to James and his family joining us here in Falmouth soon.”

Coffey feels fortunate to be joining an athletic program that is arguably the most successful in the state and one that also boasts a bevy of experienced, accomplished coaches.

“There’s good experience (in Falmouth),” Coffey said. “It’s nice to have veteran coaches and I like to groom younger coaches coming up.”

Coffey said he hopes to catch some Falmouth games over school vacation, then he’ll transition to permanently move his family (which includes a two-year-old son, James Jr.) this summer.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Coffey said.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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New Falmouth athletic director James Coffey.