Hasson new Belleview boys’ basketball coach

Belleview High School recently hired a new coach to lead the Rattlers boys’ basketball program.

Jason Hasson will take the place of Michael Hoffmann, who earlier this year took the head coaching job at Forest High School.

Hasson was familiar with Marion County basketball thanks to Phillip Small, long-time boys’ basketball coach at Vanguard High School and current Belleview athletic director.

“Coach Small and I had previously met at a couple of area holiday tournaments, the Villages tournament and the Kingdom of the Sun,” Hasson said. “We struck up a friendship, and when the (Belleview) job came open, we had great discussions about me taking the position.”

Hasson most recently coached Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore. Calvert Hall finished 5-8 in 2021, during a COVID-19 shortened season. He spent three seasons as coach of the Cardinals, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Before his time with Calvert Hall, Hasson spent two seasons at West Catholic Prep in Philadelphia, where he went 12-32. Before that, he coached five seasons at Pope John XXIII in Sparta, N.J., compiling a 112-36 record. Hasson also saw his Pope John XXIII team win five consecutive league titles.

He previously served as an assistant for Saint Anthony High in Jersey City, New Jersey. While there, the boys’ program won two state titles and was named the 2011 National Champion by USA Today and MaxPreps.

Hasson plans to show his new team the qualities it takes to be winners.

“I want to show them high energy, knowledge, and passion for the game,” Hasson said. “We plan to conduct intense and high-level workouts and to develop a good rapport with our players.”

Hasson said his family will follow him soon and should be moved in by mid-July. He and his wife have five young children, including newborn twins.

“We have visited a few times and are excited to settle down in the community,” he said.