Tocoi Creek High School is excited to announce the hiring of Billy Blackmon III as Head Girls Basketball Coach and Social Studies Teacher for the newest high school in St. Johns County Florida.
Billy Blackmon III joins the Tocoi Creek faculty after spending three years in San Antonio, Texas. During his time in Texas, Coach Blackmon served as Athletic Director at St. Gregory the Great Catholic School 2019-2021, Head Coach at San Antonio College Men’s basketball team 2019-2021, and Director of Women’s Basketball Operations at the University of the Incarnate Word 2018-2019. Prior to Texas, Coach Blackmon had stops in Florida at Newberry HS (2011) and Baldwin HS (2012) before moving into the Head Boys basketball coach at PK Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville, Fla. (2013-2018). His teams were 96-48 during his tenure as the Blue Wave head coach, including four district championships and a final four appearance. He was selected the Gainesville Sun “Coach of the Year” in 2018 and was voted three times the Florida Athletic Coaches Association regional “Coach of the Year” by his peers.
Prior to his days in the coaching world he was a graduate of Sebastian River HS, he played collegiately at Indian River State College, winning two conference championships, and being named twice All-Conference for the Pioneers. Charleston Southern was the next stop where he was named team captain, earned the “Sportsmanship” award, and was a scholar athlete for the Buccaneers all in 2009. Upon leaving CSU, Blackmon played basketball professionally in Europe with the Horsholm 79ers Basketball Club 2010-2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Off the court for the 79ers, he took to the sideline, beginning to develop his coaching style with a U18 club basketball team. This overall experience allowed him to make international recruiting connections and a passion for coaching basketball. Coach Blackmon earned his degree in Social Science from Charleston Southern in 2012, then went on to earn his master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2018.
Throughout the interview process, Coach Blackmon expressed that “investing into the student/athlete as a person”, building the “all in together” team atmosphere, “challenging” athletes to reach new levels of success, while being “relatable and real with his athletes” has helped him be a successful coach. He will provide support for his players on and off the court and clearly communicate the expectations while motivating them to be great teammates. His background of successful coaching and developing well-rounded student athletes who are committed to excellence aligns with the vision for Tocoi Creek HS.
TCHS Principal, Jay Willets shared “Mr. Blackmon is bringing a unique set of teaching skills to TCHS that will allow for students to flourish in the classroom and on the court. He will be a leader in our building from day one.” We would like to welcome him, his wife Ziva Recek Blackmon and two sons, Brody 4, and Bryce 2 to our community.
Coach Blackmon is extremely excited about the opportunity to build a community full of new traditions and experiences that will take all Tocoi Creek students to the next level both academically and athletically. His goal is to be a positive force that helps turn TCHS into a place the community is proud of.