TexasTerror
January 16th, 2007, 08:17 AM
An AD leaving may not be big news for most of you, but when you consider UCA is in the midst of going through the transition process under the NCAA's watchful eye, this is an important transaction that will lead to a very critical hire.
The new AD will have to continue with the transition process to Div I, work forward with facilities upgrades and more importantly, work with UCA President Lu Hardin on finding a home for the recently reinstated UCA mens' soccer team.
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CONWAY, Ark _ University of Central Arkansas Athletic Director John Thompson has accepted the defensive coordinator position at the University of Mississippi.
Thompson, 51, the director of athletics at UCA since May 2006, will join the staff of Coach Ed Orgeron, who played for Thompson when he was the defensive coordinator at Northwestern State in the early 1980s.
"I am very thankful to UCA and to Ole Miss for this opportunity,' Thompson said on Monday. "I've enjoyed this job very much and I'm excited about joining Coach Orgeron at Ole Miss. I believe we can do great things there. Ole Miss has a great tradition and I'm honored to be able to join their team there and be a part of it.'
Thompson was hired last year to lead the UCA athletic program in its first year as an NCAA Division I program. UCA moved to Division I and joined the Southland Conference on July 1, 2006.
"John Thompson was an excellent athletic director and I hate to see him leave UCA,' said UCA President Lu Hardin. "However, this is an extraordinary opportunity and I am personally happy for Coach Thompson.'
Thompson has a 28-year background as a football coach and is recognized as one of the top defensive coordinators in the nation. He has five previous stints in the Southeastern Conference, having coached at Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Alabama and South Carolina, as well as Southern Mississippi and Memphis. He was also head coach at East Carolina for two seasons.
http://www.ucasports.com/sport.asp?action=news&sportid=16&article=1653
The new AD will have to continue with the transition process to Div I, work forward with facilities upgrades and more importantly, work with UCA President Lu Hardin on finding a home for the recently reinstated UCA mens' soccer team.
-------------------
CONWAY, Ark _ University of Central Arkansas Athletic Director John Thompson has accepted the defensive coordinator position at the University of Mississippi.
Thompson, 51, the director of athletics at UCA since May 2006, will join the staff of Coach Ed Orgeron, who played for Thompson when he was the defensive coordinator at Northwestern State in the early 1980s.
"I am very thankful to UCA and to Ole Miss for this opportunity,' Thompson said on Monday. "I've enjoyed this job very much and I'm excited about joining Coach Orgeron at Ole Miss. I believe we can do great things there. Ole Miss has a great tradition and I'm honored to be able to join their team there and be a part of it.'
Thompson was hired last year to lead the UCA athletic program in its first year as an NCAA Division I program. UCA moved to Division I and joined the Southland Conference on July 1, 2006.
"John Thompson was an excellent athletic director and I hate to see him leave UCA,' said UCA President Lu Hardin. "However, this is an extraordinary opportunity and I am personally happy for Coach Thompson.'
Thompson has a 28-year background as a football coach and is recognized as one of the top defensive coordinators in the nation. He has five previous stints in the Southeastern Conference, having coached at Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Alabama and South Carolina, as well as Southern Mississippi and Memphis. He was also head coach at East Carolina for two seasons.
http://www.ucasports.com/sport.asp?action=news&sportid=16&article=1653