Notes from the 'Coast: Vasquez set to fight charges

It looks like there's a good chance former Hernando basketball coach Antonio "Tony" Vasquez will fight an exposure of sexual organs charge in court. Vasquez has pled not guilty, and won't strike a plea deal with the state, attorney Larry Disparti said.

"He maintains his innocence, and is adamant about it," Disparti said.

Vasquez was arrested after police said he exposed himself to an undercover officer in McKethan Park July 24. The former Hernando star immediately resigned his post as Leopards boys basketball coach. He had just been hired in May.

Superintendent of Hernando County Schools Wayne Alexander said even if Vasquez was found not guilty, he likely wouldn't return to the district in any capacity.

"If you're innocent, you're innocent, that's great," Alexander said, "but I wouldn't anticipate that's something that we'd look at."

--DAVID MURPHY

dmurphy@sptimes.com