By; J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola
That began to change when then-athletic director Tiffany King decided to hire Taron Mallard – a 25-year-old former Poinciana football and basketball star– as its next head coach. “He was almost an afterthought, a courtesy interview as he was scheduled to accept a teaching position at Bethune Cookman,” King said at the time. “He tossed his name in the ring and we interviewed him. But he was extremely young and we also had an older, much-more experienced candidate that we felt we wanted. What really sealed the deal for me was that coach essentially withdrew when he heard Taron had applied. He told us to absolutely give the young guy the chance because he felt it would be best for the school.”
The benefits were immediate.
In Mallard’s first year, the school rebounded from a 4-6 season to win eight games for just the second time in school history. That record included a 35-13 bowl game victory over East River, as the team finished the campaign with five wins in their last six games.
With the departure of talented players like Cameron Brown, Wil Nezius, and Ernest Nunn, graduation depleted the roster and the Eagles fell to 3-7 – leaving some to question whether if Poinciana would fall back into the same old pattern.
But the early results in 2026 has shown that this is not the same old Poinciana program. The team opened with a big win over Celebration, played long-time power Osceola tough for three quarters, shut out Harmony on the road and then defeated Discovery for the school’s first district win in four years to push its record to 3-1.
With a win over Gateway on Friday, a 4-1 start would be the school’s best in its 32-year history.
Mallard, who was a member of Poinciana’s 2015-16 state championship basketball team, says there is no secret sauce to success. “When I got the job, I really wanted to change the culture and perception of Poinciana football,” the now 28-year-old coach said. “I always felt this school had athletic talent. I also felt that if someone could step in, focus and develop that talent, the program could be successful.”
That young talent has included players like Xaiden Hill, Yandel Marcano, Jesus Rios and Jacob Tillman – freshmen who are receiving varsity snaps. But part of that process has been an influx of transfers.
Although school choice has rubbed some high school coaches the wrong way, Mallard said it is better to embrace the situation than complain about it. “First of all, school choice looks like it is here to stay. Students can basically go to any school they want to. Now I’m like every other coach, if I have a good freshman I want him to stay in our program, stay loyal to the school and play four years here. But the reality of the situation is that many players are looking around all the time. There are still rules about recruiting that we follow but I consider it a compliment — and a fundamental change of how our program is viewed– if a good player wants to come here to play.”
That has happened this season. Starting slot and kick returner Jamarie Williams transferred in from Osceola and starting quarterback Lucas Mineock enrolled at Poinciana after his family moved from Ohio. “Those are two great examples of what I am talking about,” Mallard said. “Lucas could have chosen just about any school he wanted and elected to come here.”
One thing that Mallard is adamant about is that the losing tradition of Poinciana football means nothing to him, his staff or players. “Today’s high school athletes live in the here-and-now. Most don’t know anything about the history of Poinciana football and those who do don’t care about it. What we do know and believe in is that hard work, dedication and staying true to the process is what really matters. Our players believe in what we are trying to do here and they are willing to put in the work and effort to reach our goals.”
Mallard added that any success the school has had has little to do with him. “I am extremely thankful that we have coaches in this county like Marlin Roberts (Gateway) and Eric Pinellas (Osceola) that have helped mentor me on how to coach, I have upmost respect for those guys and the guidance they have provided. But it really comes down to the players. Are they willing to put in the work to succeed? I feel my only job is to provide guidance and leadership along the way.”
