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Thompson geared up with '30-day plan'
By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
GREENVILLE (AP) — John
Thompson had worked all day on a game plan to stop Michigan in the Outback Bowl
and was talking to a former player when his caller ID showed East Carolina was
on the other line.
There was no nervousness,
no apprehension when Florida's defensive coordinator took the call late
Wednesday night to find out his college coaching future.
``I had a peace about it
the whole time, that I had gone in to the interviews and did the best I could,''
Thompson said. ``If this was the right situation and they wanted to accept me,
good. If not, I would work on Michigan all day Thursday.''
Seconds later, Thompson
was giving his wife the thumbs-up sign in his living room: East Carolina had
selected the Florida assistant as its head coach to replace Steve Logan.
Thompson, 47, a defensive
coordinator since the early 1980s, was officially introduced Friday to about 250
East Carolina supporters and a dozen players who drove back to campus to greet
their new leader.
``I've always known what I
wanted to do,'' Thompson said. ``My dad was a high school coach and all I've
ever wanted to do was to be a head coach. For 25 years I have been preparing for
this day.''
ECU chancellor William
Muse gave Thompson a T-shirt with the team's new slogan ``Tomorrow starts here''
and a cap, which Thompson immediately raised in the air toward the cheering
crowd.
Thompson then came close
to breaking down as he thanked his wife, Charleen, for staying by his side
during coaching stops at Arkansas, LSU, Memphis and Southern Mississippi.
``It's been a long journey
to get here and my family has gotten me through the wilderness,'' he said.
``We're ready to take this thing home.''
Thompson received a
five-year contract with a base salary of $150,000 a season. His total package
will be between $350,000 and $400,000, athletic director Mike Hamrick said.
Logan left the program by
mutual agreement on Dec. 7 as the school's winningest coach. He produced 69 wins
in 11 seasons, but the Pirates went 4-8 this past year after three straight bowl
appearances and fan support eroded.
Hamrick and Muse said they
selected Thompson from a long list of candidates, including some Division I-A
head coaches.
``There was just something
about John Thompson in the whole process that stood out,'' Hamrick said. ``There
was a connection of excitement, enthusiasm, passion. He just jumped out at us.
``The thing that really,
really stood out with John was that everywhere he has been they've been good.''
Thompson has his work cut
out with the Pirates. The Conference USA school finished 107th in the nation in
defense and 99th in total offense.
``We've got a 30-day plan
and the first thing is to recruit and the next thing is to recruit and the next
thing is to recruit. Then we've got to get a solid staff,'' he said.
Hamrick said he's not
expecting miracles right away.
``The talent level is not
here that has been here in the past,'' Hamrick said. ``I don't think we expect a
10-win season. We have brought someone in to build to that.''
— 30 —
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02/23/2007 10:51 AM
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