The Pasco High School boys basketball search ended today when they named James Derek Heard as the new coach, replacing Poncho Broner, who stepped down after eight seasons and leading the Pirates to the program’s eighth district title.

“Were really hoping that he can take the program to a new level and we’re looking forward to it,” Pasco athletic director Jim Ward said. “He comes in with, not taking anything away from coach Broner, he comes in with a little different outlook on some things. He brings it like some college coaches do on the Division II level. He’s real big on academics and discipline.”

Heard, who recently served as assistant coach at Orlando Oak Ridge and was a former longtime Miami Monsignor Pace assistant coach, will take over a team off of a regional tournament appearance.

Heard, a former Florida Southern player (1999-2002), scored 1,064 points for the Moccasins, was a team MVP during the 2000-01, 2001-02 seasons and was named the school’s Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2001.