The most storied boys basketball program in Marion County has a new head coach.
Vanguard has hired Eric Jones as its program’s next leader, poaching the coach from across the county as Jones served as Belleview’s head coach last season.
“The Belleview people have been fantastic,” Jones said in an interview with the Star-Banner on Monday, May 4. “It’s just a bit of a better opportunity for me. (Vanguard) is a little closer to where I live and to be involved a little bit more in the community.”
Jones’ familiarity with those with ties to the Knights’ boys basketblal program stuck out during the coaching search, Vanguard athletic director Edwin Farmer said.
Jones, who led the Rattlers to a 21-6 record in his first and only season at Belleview, is coming to Vanguard to replace Travis Licht, who in early April decided to take on the same role at Ocala’s new South Marion High School.
Before his brief stint at Belleview, Jones spent 16 years as the head boys basketball coach at West Orange High School, where he led the Orlando metro program to the Final Four in 2018.
“Over there at West Orange, he did a lot of great things,” Farmer said of Jones. “His resume… He’s definitely the guy we’re looking for for the program we’re looking to build with the Vanguard High School basketball program.”
With more than three decades worth of basketball coaching experience under his belt, Jones is familiar with the lofty expectations that surround Vanguard’s program considering its three state titles, history under legendary coach Jim Haley and success against fellow Marion County programs.
“I’m looking forward to continuing that county domination and prowess. I was friends with Jim Haley and was quite impressed by his resume and I look forward to the challenge,” said Jones, who will now coach home games on Jim Haley Court. “It’s an honor. After having many conversations with (Haley) and dinners with him and other things with him, being on the board with him with the (Florida Association of Basketball Coaches), I guess it’s an honor, so to speak, to go coach at Vanguard.”
Jones will be taking over a Vanguard team that went 19-9 this past season, which included a 5-5 record against other Marion County teams and a district championship win.
“I do understand the reality of being at a program like Vanguard. I know that they have been traditionally good, have had some really good coaches over the years and even after Coach Haley,” Jones said. “So I look forward to enhancing that and being a part of that. If the community will give me an opportunity, I think they’ll embrace what I have to offer.”
With Jones’ move, Belleview will now join Forest on the hunt for a new boys basketball coach as Mike Hoffman made the decision to leave the Wildcats last week.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Vanguard boys basketball hiring Belleview’s Eric Jones as next head coach
Reporting by Ainslie Lee, Gainesville Sun / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
