Forest finds new head basketball coach in Hoffman
OCALA, Fla. (BVM) — After Forest head coach Spencer Ashley resigned from the basketball program back in April, the Wildcats decided to move in a familiar direction hiring Belleview head coach Mike Hoffman to lead the team.
Hoffman comes over after five seasons as the head coach at Belleview where he accrued a 49-72 record with the Rattlers. Despite an underwhelming total record, Hoffman was able to build the program, eclipsing an above .500 record in his last two seasons. Hoffman’s 15-11 season in 2019 was the first winning season the school had achieved in 18 years.
The recent uptick in record should be encouraging for a Wildcats program that has been very successful under their former coach, reaching a Class 6A State Final Four appearance this past season. After taking over the program in 2017, the Wildcats went 73-34 in Ashley’s four seasons as head coach, going 18-8 in 2020-21.
With his new opportunity, Hoffman will face some barriers as the Wildcats will lose two of their starters from the past season. With a team that will look much different in the upcoming season, the new Forest head coach should be able to lean on his previous experience as he looks to keep the basketball program going in a positive direction.
