Leal began is head coaching career at his alma mater, University of Maine at Farmington. Sam spent 4 seasons at the helm, recording a 53–25 overall record. Following the 2022–2023 season, Leal was named NAC coach of the year after posting a 19–8 overall record, 13–1 in conference play, earning them the #1 seed in the conference tournament. They would fall in the conference championship game to SUNY-Delhi.