Coaching changes create openings at Boone, Timber Creek

Phil Ziglar, head coach of a Boone football program that has made eight consecutive playoff appearances, returned from the state North-South All-Star game in Sebring and a short holiday break to find three pieces missing from a coaching staff that has been regarded as among the best in Central Florida.

Ziglar said defensive line coach Peter Kearney will be the first head coach for East River, which opens in August, and quarterbacks coach Joe Anagnostis will also move to the new school in east Orange County as a member of Carney’s staff.

Ziglar said Billy Daniel will shift from Boone to the other new Orange County school, Lake Nona, where he will be head baseball coach and a football assistant.

Ziglar said the good news for him is that Boone baseball coach Pete Post has agreed to return to football after a year away to assume the slot vacated by Anagnostis.

"Pete will be the quarterback coach and he’ll probably run my offense," Ziglar said.

Jim Buckridge, head coach for Timber Creek, said he also expects to lose three members of his staff to East River. Matt Aliberti, who has coached with the Wolves since 2002, will be East River’s athletic director.

All signs point to former Freedom coach Andy Hamre becoming head football coach for Lake Nona, but I have not yet talked to Hamre about that.

The other head coaching vacancy in Orange County is at University, where Jeff Smiley stepped down after going 2-8 this fall and 6-24 in three seasons.

The Winter Springs job is open in Seminole County, with Mike Kintz having taken the Eustis job.