Jeff Moore, a 1985 graduate of Zanesville High School, has been announced as the new head coach of the Zanesville boys basketball team for the upcoming 2026-27 season. His return marks the culmination of a long‑standing relationship with the program and a career that has spanned decades of grassroots basketball development.
A Storied Coaching Path
Moore’s early years saw him serve as a junior high coach from 1990 to 1992, followed by a stint as an assistant on both the junior varsity and varsity staffs between 1992 and 1997. He then took the reins of the Steubenville boys program for three seasons before returning to Zanesville as an assistant coach until 2007, building a foundation of familiarity and trust within the community.
Success at the Helm of the Lady Blue Devils
From 2011 to 2017 and again from 2019 to 2023, Moore guided the girls basketball team to a remarkable 151 career wins, capturing five East Central Ohio League titles along the way. His ability to develop talent and instill disciplined play earned him a reputation as one of the region’s most effective mentors.
A New Era Begins
Moore will succeed Cedric Harris, who stepped down in May after five years at the helm. The transition comes as the team looks to build on a season that produced its greatest win total in nearly a decade. Central to the upcoming campaign will be three senior leaders — Lucca Wood, Quinnell Angler, and Maddox Mohler — who are expected to shoulder increased responsibility on the court.
Community Expectations
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Moore emphasizes relationship building and the teaching of fundamental basketball skills. He hopes to leave a lasting imprint on the Zanesville program, fostering an environment where players can grow both as athletes and as members of the community. The school board and local supporters alike are eager to see how his experience will translate into renewed competitiveness and sustained development for the program.