SOUTH PORTLAND—South Portland girls’ basketball coach Mike Giordano, one of the sport’s true gentlemen and the winner of over 200 games, announced Thursday afternoon that he has resigned.

Giordano said that after receiving “a less than favorable review,” there were doubts about his ability to lead the program going forward and he felt, “the best thing to do was to step down.”

Giordano won 207 games during his Red Riots tenure (losing 125), including 12 victories this past winter. Despite losing senior standout Danica Gleason to a season-ending knee injury in January, South Portland reached the Western A quarterfinals before losing to Scarborough.

Following the campaign, Giordano was given the Ron Cote SMAA Coach of the Year award. He was The Forecaster’s Coach of the Year in 2004.

Giordano, who only missed the playoffs once and led South Portland to the postseason in each of his final 13 years, reflected fondly on his time with the Red Riots.

“I spent 25 years at South Portland,” said Giordano, alluding to his 17 as head coach and eight as an assistant. “It was a tremendous experience. I hope I affected kids in a positive way.”

South Portland athletic director Todd Livingston had high praise for Giordano’s tenure.

“It has been a sincere pleasure working with Coach Giordano during my two years as the athletic director at South Portland High School,” said Livingston. “I observed the tireless efforts and dedication he committed to his program, not only during the season, but through his summer program and camps and his involvement in the Maine Basketball Coaches Association. He truly committed himself 100 percent to the program.

“Aside from his impressive coaching record, which speaks for itself, his efforts to provide the ‘extra’ experiences and ‘little things’ for his team members are admirable. It was a pleasure to be able to celebrate his 200th career win with him this past season. I thank him for the many years he has given to our girls basketball program and wish him the best moving forward.”

Giordano said he was uncertain if he would look for another coaching position.

South Portland had no word on a possible successor.

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

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South Portland girls’ basketball coach Mike Giordano, photographed during a celebration of his 200th career victory last season, announced Thursday that he was resigning his position.