Private coaching job lures Coog skipper

[KFDM COOP]

Private coaching job lures Coog skipper

By Dave Rogers

Published July 30, 2009

CROSBY — Like hundreds of area youngsters and dozens of area coaches, Marcus Thompson went away to sports camp this summer.

Thompson, the baseball coach at Crosby High School, decided not to come back.

The Cougars have hired Chris Wiggins away from Tarkington High School to take over what was a playoff squad last spring and Chris McKeller from Kirbyville to serve as his assistant.

Thompson’s assistant coach, who is also his brother, Michael Thompson, also resigned to go into private business.

Michael, who is working in outside sales for an equipment rental business in the Beaumont area, resigned at the end of the school year, roughly two months ago.

Marcus Thompson said he didn’t decide until a few weeks ago to cut the strings on a coaching career the boys inherited from their dad, longtime West Orange-Stark defensive coordinator Cornel Thompson.

Both Thompson brothers coached defensive backs for the Cougars.

Marcus Thompson is working with former Robert E. Lee and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Clint Stoerner as a sports-specific trainer at the Next Level training complex in Little Rock.

Stoerner, who has for years given lessons to young quarterbacks and receivers, played his college ball for the University of Arkansas.

“I came up here and did some camp stuff in the month of June and I was offered an opportunity with his business partner to stick around and do sports-specific stuff and baseball training,†Thompson said Wednesday.

“I said ‘What the hell? Why not?’ My brother had gotten another job, moved back to the Beaumont area, so I thought I’d try it out, see what the ‘Natural State’ has to offer.

“I will absolutely miss the baseball team and football team, but curiosity killed the cat and I guess I’m the cat right now.â€

Marcus Thompson said he and Stoerner have been friends since 2000, Stoerner’s rookie year with the Cowboys.

“Me and his brothers would load up and go to Dallas games and we’d get down on the sideline,†the retiring coach said. “After he finished playing, we’d fly up and see Arkansas games.

“We just became good friends and started trading notes on sports-specific training. It just evolved into this deal. We’re trying to collaborate and get a big facility erected up here and get it rolling.â€

Kevin Flanigan, Crosby’s athletic director, said he was surprised by Marcus Thompson’s sudden career change. But it didn’t take long to find a successor in Wiggins.

“He lives here in Crosby,†Flanigan said. “His family’s here. He’s done a good job where he’s at. It really worked out for us.â€

Wiggins has had Tarkington’s baseball team in the playoffs each of the past three seasons, winning the District 22-3A title in 2007.

Crosby’s team, returning to the playoffs in 2009 after a two-year absence, went 20-11, finishing third in District 19-4A.

Pitcher Jeremy Gabryszwski, named co-defensive MVP in the district, leads the Cougar returners.

[mendozaline]

Marcus Thompson's brother, Michael has coached with the GTB 16u team this summer and has been outstanding. He has a good knowledge of the game and carrys himself like a professional. It has been a great experience this summer coaching along side with coach Mike. The team and myself are better because of his presence on the field. I hope Coach Mike is here to stay with GTB for years to come. I don't know Marcus, but i can say from what iv heard and what i know about Migg, Crosby High had one heck of a coaching staff!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest etbu]

Marcus Thompson's brother, Michael has coached with the GTB 16u team this summer and has been outstanding. He has a good knowledge of the game and carrys himself like a professional. It has been a great experience this summer coaching along side with coach Mike. The team and myself are better because of his presence on the field. I hope Coach Mike is here to stay with GTB for years to come. I don't know Marcus, but i can say from what iv heard and what i know about Migg, Crosby High had one heck of a coaching staff that they let slip away!!!!!!

How did they let them slip away?

[Guest Ranger83]

Marcus Thompson's brother, Michael has coached with the GTB 16u team this summer and has been outstanding. He has a good knowledge of the game and carrys himself like a professional. It has been a great experience this summer coaching along side with coach Mike. The team and myself are better because of his presence on the field. I hope Coach Mike is here to stay with GTB for years to come. I don't know Marcus, but i can say from what iv heard and what i know about Migg, Crosby High had one heck of a coaching staff that they let slip away!!!!!!

How did they let them slip away?

My thoughts exactly. What did Crosby do wrong here? (Besides the less than stellar baseball facilities.) Marcus has gone through some changes in his personal life and decided to make some changes in his professional life as well. He and his brother did not "slip", they left with solid footing. I wish both of them success.

[EAGLE07]

I was impressed w/ both when Barbers Hill faced them the last two years.

I've always admired people who are willing to make changes, take a risk, and move out of their comfort zone.

I wish them both the best.

[mendozaline]

sry...didnt mean for it to sound like Crosby was to blame or they had ill feelings...corrected

[TEL]

Crosby didn't let them slip away, they left without explaining anything. The bad thing is that Crosby will probably have their best year this year with the team they have in place. It was a shock to say the least. Two of the main players on this team started as Freshman. I wish Marcus the best, just wished he would have talked to some of the kids about it so they didn't find out through the grapevine.