Thompson to return [Archive]

JerryBeeds

12-21-2005, 07:51 PM

We should have cut him loose IMO:

http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051221/SPORTS0102/512210373/1002/SPORTS

RW13

12-21-2005, 08:17 PM

I wonder what happened? Thompson sounded pissed, oh well, glad to have him back, the more good coaches you have on staff, the better.....

WoffordCock

12-21-2005, 09:33 PM

wonder what his role will be and if he will take a pay cut?????

GamecockinIL

12-22-2005, 09:20 AM

Thompson should be gone....the whole "stand-up" defensive scheme was a disaster, and you could see it after the Georgia game. I screamed at Spurrier for half the season for allowing our defense to keep doing it.

Even if Nix is calling the signals, it's clear that Thompson was out of his league, scheme-wise. He is not ready for the big time play of the SEC.

scunyon

12-22-2005, 09:41 AM

I think that Thompson should be gone, solely my opinion. This is going to be very distracting to the team, but I think that the "D" responds better to Nix than Thompson. With Nix, they pinned their ears back and went for the jugular. When we get some more size on the D-line, we'll be in great shape. We have LB's that fly to the ball and those twins love to lay wood on whoever has the ball.

All that aside, give him his $155K a year and send him home :cool:

LedCock

12-22-2005, 01:44 PM

GamecockinIL

12-22-2005, 02:18 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the "stand up" defense came Nix's defense while at Southern Miss.

You could be right...I'm not sure. But I do know that Thompson was in charge while they were doing the "stand-up" thing. When Nix started calling the signals, that was gone. That would lead me to believe that it was a Thompson call.

pc72687

12-22-2005, 02:48 PM

I think Thompson is a great coach, remember he coaches the linebackers and his backers made some improvements throughout the year (the Lindsey boy and Walker being an example). I think he is a good coach and hate to see him leave.

LedCock

12-22-2005, 04:38 PM

You could be right...I'm not sure. But I do know that Thompson was in charge while they were doing the "stand-up" thing. When Nix started calling the signals, that was gone. That would lead me to believe that it was a Thompson call.

I think Spurrier is the one that actually put a stop to the whole stand up thing. But you guys that seem hell bent on getting rid of Thompson must remember that he's not making the calls on defense anymore, it's Nix. If Thompson does come back he will probably coach the db's like before and that will be all that he does. Just because most of us feel Nix is a better Defensive coordinator than Thompson doesn't mean Thompson couldn't help out in other ways. He's been in the coaching business a long time and that has to count for something.

GamecockinIL

12-22-2005, 07:27 PM

He's been in the coaching business a long time and that has to count for something.

Why does that have to count for something? The world is full of people who have been at something for a long time, but that doesn't mean that they are the best at it. This is a profession that demands the BEST, not what is acceptable. Isn't that what we ask of the athletes? Why wouldn't we want that in our coaches? If he's been in the coaching busniness for a long time and that has to count for something, would you rather have him as the head coach (he has experience at that) or a young charger with less experience? Would you rather have him or Spurrier? Length of tenure or experience is the least compelling factor in choosing coaches IMO.

BTW - My quote about Thompson was that he was the one responsible for the stand-up defense since it went away with the change of co-ordinators.

LedCock

12-22-2005, 09:15 PM

Why does that have to count for something? The world is full of people who have been at something for a long time, but that doesn't mean that they are the best at it. This is a profession that demands the BEST, not what is acceptable. Isn't that what we ask of the athletes? Why wouldn't we want that in our coaches? If he's been in the coaching busniness for a long time and that has to count for something, would you rather have him as the head coach (he has experience at that) or a young charger with less experience? Would you rather have him or Spurrier? Length of tenure or experience is the least compelling factor in choosing coaches IMO.

BTW - My quote about Thompson was that he was the one responsible for the stand-up defense since it went away with the change of co-ordinators.

I wasn't picking on you IL, geez relax. You got all upset because you thought I was picking on you and took my posts out of context. I never said I would rather have him than Spurrier. I know about as much about Thompson as you do, which is probably not very much. I'm just trusting Spurrier on this one and going with what he thinks is best. Which sounds like he wants him back to coach the db's, which didn't do too bad this year if you recall. My opinion about the whole situation is: Thompson can probably coach and teach these guys great fundamentals. Nix is probably the better play caller.

GamecockinIL

12-22-2005, 10:28 PM

You got all upset because you thought I was picking on you and took my posts out of context. ..... My opinion about the whole situation is: Thompson can probably coach and teach these guys great fundamentals. Nix is probably the better play caller.

Not upset at all...didn't take it as picking either. It's just that the statement that he had been coaching a long time and that should count for something is indicative of a slippery problem.

GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF GREAT!

Most of our culture today is willing to settle for good or good enough. But good is actually dangerous because it will cause us to be willing to settle for something less than best. I don't want GOOD coaches on our staff. I want GREAT coaches on our staff.

I believe that Spurrier is a GREAT coach. And I believe that he wants a staff of GREAT coaches. But often times, personal connections will cloud judgment. People will let their emotions or their friendship for someone keep them from making decisions that would ultimately be for the BEST.

I have no doubt that Thompson is a good coach, or SOS wouldn't have hired him in the first place. I just don't know that he's a GREAT coach. Time in the position is not what qualifies you for greatness. There are other factors far more important. I just hope that SOS will make decisions without regard for personal friendships here. If he keeps Thompson because he truly can be a GREAT coach, then I'm all for it. I just have my doubts that he is at this point.

Beebop

12-23-2005, 07:38 AM

GCIL.....I agree with what you're saying as far as wanting and even expecting the best. I mean..I'm a G'Cock Club member, I pay my dues and I want the best product on the field as possible. As much as I hate to say it, but it's almost like a business. We as club members are the stock holders and we want the maximum return on our investment and in this case that means championship teams. No more....no less. I do however think Spurrier would not allow a coach on his staff that wasn't giving him what he expected out of him. If he's not the caliber coach that he thought he was, I don't see Spurrier keeping him on the staff.

pc72687

12-23-2005, 09:43 AM

I don't think Thompson coaches the DBs that would be Wommack's job. Thompson does the LBs.

GTmorris1970

12-23-2005, 03:08 PM

Thompson was the one responsible for the stand-up crap, and cost us a couple of embarrassing losses. Pay him off and send him home. He sounds like a whiney brat to me. I don't for one minute believe he will be co-defensive coordinator next year, and would be surprised if he ever sets foot on the Carolina sideline again.

Carolina Cowboy

12-23-2005, 08:50 PM

Amen GT!!!!! He couldn't get it done at ECU why in the world did we bring him to USC. Send him a check and write it off!!!!!!!

pc72687

12-24-2005, 11:31 AM

Let him be linebackers coach for at least one more season until we find someone to replace him!

GTmorris1970

12-24-2005, 07:43 PM

Here is my opinion of what is going on. Thompson has been a head coach, and took a job as co-defensive coord. He did not get the job done, and now Nix is also the assistant head coach. Hard for Thompson to swallow I would imagine. He was probably showing his arse, sulking around and making comments, and ticked Spurrier off. Spurrier perhaps told him to go home to Arkansas for the holidays, and decide if he wants to stay or go. Deep down Spurrier could probably care less. It's not like he cannot replace him. Just an opinion, based on life experience.