Gators turn to former player

By FRANK PASTOR
Published July 20, 2005

LAND O'LAKES - Athletic director Chuck Moehle has worked with three volleyball coaches during his three years at Land O'Lakes.

So stability, understandably, was among the most important qualities the school sought in a new coach.

Land O'Lakes hopes it has found that in Jessica McCoy, who recently replaced Staci Elias. Elias stepped down after trading her full-time job as a guidance counselor for a part-time position with the school's job share program, allowing her to spend more time with her young daughter.

"We were looking for someone who will stick around," Moehle said. "(McCoy) said that's what her plan is, to build the program up."

McCoy, a 1998 Land O'Lakes graduate, played volleyball and basketball under longtime Gators coach Jerry Stacy before signing with Division II Florida Tech. After coaching the freshman and junior varsity squads at Melbourne Palm Bay and the Harbour City Juniors and Cape Coast club teams, McCoy moved to New Tampa to be closer to family.

"My brother (Todd) just had the first grandchild of the family," said McCoy, 24, who works for the Department of Public Health. "I wanted to be around that. I wanted to grow my family here."

At Land O'Lakes, McCoy will be reunited with former Sunsetters and Northbay club teammate Michelle Griffin, who will coach the Gators junior varsity.

"It brings a lot of pride to the program," McCoy said, "and that's basically what I want to build, a new program off of having pride in it"

McCoy isn't the only new face at Land O'Lakes.

David Parrish, from Seven Springs Middle School, takes over as girls cross country coach, allowing Sam Parisi to pursue a master's degree.

Gregory Dew replaces Jerry Waldrop as boys weightlifting coach. Waldrop, who coached the program for years, returned to the position on a temporary basis until a long-term solution was found.

Volleyball coaches in Pasco County were paid a $1,830 supplement last school year. Cross country coaches made $1,582, weightlifting coaches $833.

[Last modified July 20, 2005, 00:58:13]