Cannon was most recently an assistant coach at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
February 17, 2010
EUSTIS – Jonathan Cannon now will be trying to win football games for the program that he once, so dearly, loved to beat.
Cannon, 42, a 1986 Leesburg graduate and a former Class 3A all-state running back, has been named Eustis' head football coach. He is replacing longtime assistant Bill Larkin, who stepped in to take over the program last July, just two weeks before practice began after first-year coach Mike Kintz resigned.
"The thing is, when I left Florida, I still called up OrlandoSentinel.com and followed football in Lake County, so I have stayed somewhat familiar with it," Cannon said. "And, I still have a lot of friends in the area. My parents are still in the Lake County area so I was still coming down there from time-to-time.
"I have a young son excited to spend some time with his grandparents."
For Cannon, this is a chance to come home and bring his considerable knowledge and experience with him.
Cannon was released in November as the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff after six years. He also had served as an assistant head coach and offensive line coach there and, in 2006, he temporarily took over the head coaching duties for former coach Mo Forte, who was having health problems. Cannon helped the Golden Lions reach the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game that year where they lost to Alabama A&M.
He also was an assistant coach at Howard University and spent 10 years as an assistant coach at Norfolk State University. In addition, he spent one summer (2003) as a coaching intern with the Baltimore Ravens and another (2000) as a coaching intern with the Chicago Bears.
"He is a son of Lake County who we are happy to give an opportunity to come back home," Eustis principal Al Larry said. "He is an outstanding football coach. I think he has a total of about 17 years of experience coaching in the college ranks and he has some experience with the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears.
"Jonathan Cannon came off as a classy guy with me. He appeared to be a highly professional model, not just for the kids, but for the other coaches on our staff. He was well dressed and he carried himself well. His answers to our questions were very polished. He has the kind of presence, the kind of persona that will capture young athletes' attention."
Eustis, traditionally one of Lake's better football programs, is coming off consecutive 2-8 seasons after going 9-3 in 2007.
Cannon was one of three finalists narrowed down from an original field of 75 applicants by a search committee. Larry brought finalists in for a second interview last week before making his decision.
"It was a very impressive group of candidates," Larry said. "There were some really good applicants who we never even got a chance to interview. We think we have us a good one."
Cannon said he plans to be on the job by March 1, beginning preparations for spring practice in May.
Cannon, who was also a basketball standout at Leesburg, had one of his more memorable games his senior season against Eustis in what is Lake County's most historic rivalry. He rushed for 105 yards in that game and scored the game-winning touchdown with 7:55 left in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard plunge in a 7-6 come-from-behind victory for the Yellow Jackets.
"You know, I remember that game very well," Cannon said with a laugh. "I still have a lot of friends in Leesburg and they are very excited about me coming back. The only thing, I have had several say, ‘I guess I will have to become a Eustis Panther now, huh?' I am happy to be coming back home."
Read Joe Williams' blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/varsityblog and e-mail him at jwilliams@orlandosentinel.com.
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