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Tom Jessee will coach the Spartans' women's team next season.
By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 6, 2002
TAMPA -- Mitchell High School in Pasco County is looking for a new boy's coach, according to its athletic director, because the University of Tampa has hired Tom Jessee to be the Spartans' new women's coach.
But UT and Jessee could not confirm the hiring. Jessee has not returned repeated calls from the Times. UT associate athletic director Gil Swalls said the school is in the process of hiring a coach but could not identify that coach.
Regardless, Mitchell AD Ian Mooney said he is looking to fill the school's boys basketball position and wished Jessee success with the Spartans.
"I wish him well," Mooney said. "I think it's a great opportunity for him to jump into the college ranks and coach up there. He has a wealth of knowledge and I'm sure he'll do a great job at the college level."
Former UT coach Tom Mosca left after 13 seasons when his part-time coaching job was phased out to help the school meet Title IX gender equity requirements.
Mosca declined to apply for the new full-time position, according to Swalls, when it was created and a national search launched in mid-April.
Swalls said university president Ron Vaughn must sign off on the hiring and the human resources department must contact the other candidates before the school can release the name of the coach.
The Spartans were 16-12 last season and tied for fifth in the Sunshine State Conference.
Jessee resigned as girls coach at Gulf in New Port Richey in January 2000 because his teaching position was about to be eliminated. He became the intramural director and an assistant men's basketball coach at UT.
But in May 2000, he returned to Pasco County to accept the Mitchell position when the school opened its doors. Jessee compiled a 27-29 record in two seasons there. The Mustangs finished a 19-10 last season.