Justin Norwood, who grew up in the Town Hill section of Bar Harbor, is going home to coach.

The 26-year-old Norwood was confirmed Monday night as the new boys varsity basketball coach at Mount Desert Island High School. He replaces his former high school mentor, Wilton Jones, who recently retired after 14 seasons.

“This means the world to me,” said Norwood, a 1998 MDI graduate who teaches at the William S. Cohen School in Bangor. “It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain. I’ve dreamed about this since I was in middle school.”

Norwood began his coaching career at the junior varsity level at Central Aroostook High School in Mars Hill during his senior year at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

He coached at Georges Valley of Thomaston for one year before spending the last three seasons as the JV coach and varsity assistant at Hampden Academy. He helped head coach Russ Bartlett guide the Broncos to the 2005 Class A state title, back-to-back Eastern A crowns in 2005 and 2006, and an EM semifinal berth last winter.

“Coach Norwood is ready for the challenge of a varsity position,” said Bartlett. “He preaches toughness and defense and we all know that is what it takes to win. His kids here at Hampden played extremely hard for him and he was an asset to our program. I know I am biased because he is one of my best friends, but I think he is a great hire for the Trojans.”

Norwood was one of five applicants for the MDI job and one of three who were interviewed.

“What sold me on him was his passion and enthusiasm for basketball, and especially for the island community,” said MDI athletic administrator Bunky Dow. “I feel strongly the parents and the community will take well to him.”