The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

I was just at lunch with a friend of mine, who is a local high school coach, but is from AR. He has heard that McGee was talking to John Thompson at ASU. I don't know John, but I do know that he has spent a lot of time in the SEC & a variety of other southern schools over the years. Has anyone else heard his name?

He did announce that he wouldn't be returning to ASU under the new coach.

That's not a name I had heard, but coaching changes free up guys who otherwise might not have been available.

http://www.astateredwolves.com/ViewArtic...=205407182

"John Thompson, a coaching veteran with over 30 years experience at the collegiate level as both an assistant and head coach, will begin his second season as Arkansas State's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2013.

Thompson also acted as A-State's interim head coach in the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl, leading the Red Wolves to a 17-13 victory over then-ranked 25th Kent State. The victory was ASU's first in a bowl game since 1970 and also marked its first win over a top-25 team since it joined the FBS in 1992.

Thompson was also a part of ASU's staff in 2012 that led the Red Wolves to a 10-3 season and a Sun Belt Conference championship with a 7-1 league mark.

Thompson oversaw Arkansas State's 2012 defense that ranked first in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring defense and second in total defense. The Red Wolves had four defensive players named All-Sun Belt Conference this year, including first-team choices Nathan Herrold at linebacker and Ryan Carrethers on the defensive line."

Seems reasonable. Fomer head coach (for what its worth) and he has been in control of a decent defense.
So anyone else?

(12-20-2013 02:30 PM)om blazer Wrote:  I was just at lunch with a friend of mine, who is a local high school coach, but is from AR. He has heard that McGee was talking to John Thompson at ASU. I don't know John, but I do know that he has spent a lot of time in the SEC & a variety of other southern schools over the years. Has anyone else heard his name?

Thompson has done pretty well every where he's coached defense.......and he has coached all over the place, including several SEC stops. He's not too old either (58).......I bet him and Coach Peoples are tight.

I was in Memphis in 99. We could do a lot worse. Their defense was stout. Seemed to be a nice guy too

John Thompson (coaching career)

Arkansas (Grad Assistant) - 1982
Northwestern State (Defensive Coordinator) - 1983-1986
Alabama-Tuscaloosa (Linebackers) 1987
Northwestern State (Defensive Coordinator) - 1988-1989
Louisiana Tech (Defensive Coordinator) - 1990-1991
Southern Miss (Defensive Coordinator) - 1992-1998
Memphis (Defensive Coordinator) - 1999
Arkansas (Defensive Coordinator) - 2000-2001
Florida (Defensive Coordinator) - 2002
East Carolina (Head Coach) - 2003-2004
South Carolina (co-Defensive Coordinator) - 2005
Ole Miss (Defensive Coordinator) - 2007
Georgia State (Asst Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator) - 2008-20114
Arkansas State (Defensive Coordinator) - 2012–present
Arkansas State (Interim Head Coach) - 2012
Arkansas State (Interim Head Coach) - 2013


Head Coaching Record (ECU): 4-20 (.167)

(12-20-2013 04:52 PM)biglizard Wrote:  I was in Memphis in 99. We could do a lot worse. Their defense was stout. Seemed to be a nice guy too

That 1999 Memphis team only gave up 182.......we gave up 3 times that this year :(

I remember something he said while at ECU.

"We really wanted Darrell Hackney, but we passed on him when he hurt himself playing baseball, and he's made us regret it ever since."

When the head coach left for Boise St I was hoping we'd give him a look. He's an experienced guy that has had success which is what we need.

(12-20-2013 06:11 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  When the head coach left for Boise St I was hoping we'd give him a look. He's an experienced guy that has had success which is what we need.

Arkansas State was paying him almost $300,000 a year.........of course, we were paying Reggie almost that much-lol.

It will be nice because of his HC experience and he know the sec and cusa

We'll probably end up with Tommy West again.

(12-20-2013 09:05 PM)tibber Wrote:  We'll probably end up with Tommy West again.

not funny

(12-20-2013 09:09 PM)UABFRENCHY Wrote:  

(12-20-2013 09:05 PM)tibber Wrote:  We'll probably end up with Tommy West again.

not funny

Tibber's a bit of a glass is half empty guy.

He's done well when he wasn't a head coach.

(12-21-2013 11:44 AM)HSV_BLAZER Wrote:  He's done well when he wasn't a head coach.

Who? John Thompson or Tommy West?

I was talking about JT.

(12-21-2013 11:49 AM)HSV_BLAZER Wrote:  I was talking about JT.

They absolutely loved him at Arkansas State.......many Red Wolves fans were mad because he wasn't hired as their new HC.

A few wanted him but he didn't fit what we were looking for. More were hoping he would stay as DC. That's not going to happen. After he leads us to a bowl win I hope he lands with y'all. Good guy...good coach.