Legendary DP girls hoops coach Anthony Jones leaves for Montverde job

Dr. Phillips High’s six-time state championship-winning girls basketball coach takes over Montverde Academy program.

By Sam Albuquerque
| 12:00 a.m. June 19, 2025

Anthony Jones led Dr. Phillips girls basketball to unprecedented success in his more than two decades in charge of the program. (Courtesy photo)

Sports
High Schools

Legendary Dr. Phillips High girls' basketball coach Anthony Jones has been named the next coach of the nationally ranked Montverde Academy program.

“I'm looking forward to joining the team at Montverde Academy,” Jones said in a press release. “I played against (Montverde) during my time at Dr. Phillip and I have seen the program progress a lot through the years. … I am excited to keep the Eagle tradition going.”

Since taking charge of the Lady Panthers program in 2008, Jones has made DP a perennial national power, winning six state championships and two high school national championships. He was also named Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year five times and National Federation of High Schools Florida Coach of the Year twice.

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Jones to our school community," said Director of Athletic Operations Khrystal Phiri. “His passion for the game, commitment to developing student-athletes, and focus on building a strong, connected program makes him the ideal leader for our girls' basketball program. Coach Jones not only brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience, but also a deep understanding of how sports can shape character, build confidence, and strengthen community. We're excited for the growth ahead — both on and off the court — under his leadership.”

Jones will take over a Montverde program that’s won three of the last four Chipotle High School National Championships (2022-24) and appeared in the title game this past season, falling to IMG Academy by two points. Last season, the Eagles finished with a 26-2 record and had three All-Americans.

author

Sam Albuquerque

A native of João Pessoa, Brazil, Sam Albuquerque moved in 1997 to Central Florida as a kid. After earning a communications degree in 2016 from the University of Central Florida, he started his career covering sports as a producer for a local radio station, ESPN 580 Orlando. He went on to earn a master’s degree in editorial journalism from Northwestern University, before moving to South Carolina to cover local sports for the USA Today Network’s Spartanburg Herald-Journal. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his lovely wife, Sarah, newborn son, Noah, and dog named Skulí.