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EagleRockCafe is posting over on the CUSA main board that this is a strong rumor. That would be very interesting, to say the least, to have the former ECU head coach as our new DC. What a step down for him, but would it be a step up for us?

What does anyone know about his defensive abilities, if anything?

I don't know that this would be good for UAB-

John Thompson is a good DC, not necessarily a good head coach.

He has been at USM and Arkansas. He was at Memphis and left to go to Arkansas. He was probably a better DC there than Joe Lee Dunn has been.

I wonder if Mike Dubose would be interested. He was a fantastic DC, not a very good HC.

Memphis Blazer Wrote:John Thompson is a good DC, not necessarily a good head coach.

He has been at USM and Arkansas. He was at Memphis and left to go to Arkansas. He was probably a better DC there than Joe Lee Dunn has been.

Now if we can get Watson to step down to Offensive Coordinator and bring in a decent head coach, we could have an awsome staff.

ICB- you make a very good point.

...this was the best story I could find...

Quote:Ex-ECU coach out at South Carolina

The Associated Press

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says former defensive coordinator John Thompson, who has been on a leave of absence since last month, will not return.

School attorneys were working out contract details before the separation was final, South Carolina athletics department spokesman Steve Fink said Thursday. Thompson had signed a three-year contract worth $175,000 a season.

Thompson was one of South Carolina's co-defensive coordinators along with Tyrone Nix. But Spurrier turned the defensive signal calling over to Nix midway through the season.

Thompson came to South Carolina after two losing seasons as head coach at East Carolina.

The full story is available here:
http://www.newsobserver.com/122/story/387997.html

Here's what I could dig up on Thompson's numbers. Not too shabby...

John Thompson Brief Bio

There is something wrong with this guy. You aren't as good as he is and move as many times in the last few years as he has. On top ot the official moves, I think he was named Dc @ LSU when Saban took over and then crawfished after a few weeks.

I smell a Bill Oliver situation here.

linus Wrote:There is something wrong with this guy. You aren't as good as he is and move as many times in the last few years as he has. On top ot the official moves, I think he was named Dc @ LSU when Saban took over and then crawfished after a few weeks.

I smell a Bill Oliver situation here.

Either that or he has been sent to test the waters for Ty Nix to be our next HC.

1983 - 1986: Northwestern State; Defensive Coordinator
1987: Alabama; Linebackers Coach
A step up from NWS, probably got cut loose in Perkins leaving
1988-1989: Northwestern State; Defensive Coordinator
They took him back - it says a lot

1990-1991: Louisiana Tech; Defensive Coordinator
Defense ranked 8th nationally in rush defense, 19th in scoring defense,
and 23rd in total defense.
Another step up
1992-1998: Southern Miss; Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach
Ranked in Top 25 scoring defense twice
Another step up


1999: Memphis; Defensive Coordinator
11th ntionally in scoring defense, 20th in total defense
Maybe Memphis came off the hip with a wad of cash - Maybe hewanted the head job somewhere and Bower isn't budging?


2000-2001: Arkansas; Co-defensive Coordinator
2nd nationally in pass defense, led SEC in pass defense and total defense
A big step up

2002: Florida; Defensive Coordinator
7th nationally in pass defense
Another big step up

He coached for Zook, who was the DC before him, so there may have been some friction, especially with the Gators not doing so good.

I think he went back to USM after Florida to be Co-DC with Ty Nix.

And then got hired by Spurrier. Another step up.

From S. Carolina to UAB is a pretty good drop, but hey, it may be his shot at being the HC.

But

He also had that goofy 3 DL set where no one was in a down stance against Bama and Auburn. It was awful. Never adjusted. JT really didnt have a good D at ECU, of course he may not have had any talent.

All I will say that if it's true you can lable Watson Brown as a




and we will have wasted two years. JT was demoted by Spurrior because his schemes sucked. He was replaced by MY suggestion for our new HC Tyrone Nix.

JT is NOT the answer for DC at UAB IMHO.

I still am hearing it will be Bill Clay though. :shhh:

God, I hope so.

John Thompson is also a very good man. I went to a memphis fball camp in the 8th grade. Even though I wasn't some big time recruit at the camp, coach Thompson still made it a point to try and get to know all the kids on a 1 on 1 level. That kind of stuck with me. If anything, coach Thompson could improve the discipline of this team. Which is really needed after last season.

MTSUBlazer

Hey, look what I found.