East Carolina Head Football Coach John Thompson Resigns
November 17, 2004 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina University Head Football Coach John Thompson announced his resignation, effective at the end of the 2004 season, during a Wednesday press conference at the Murphy Center.
Thompson will officially step down from his two-year position heading the Pirates' football program following East Carolina's Nov. 27 contest against North Carolina State in Charlotte.
Prior to ECU's contest against Memphis Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, he has compiled an overall record of 3-18 (.143), which includes an 1-11 mark in 2003 and a 2-7 ledger so far this season.
In addition, the Pirates have also recorded a 3-12 (.200) Conference USA regular-season record.
"I want to thank the players, staff, families and the entire Pirate Nation for their support and kindness," Thompson said. "Greenville has been our home and the people here are great."
When Thompson became East Carolina's 18th all-time head football coach on December 20, 2002, he finished a one-year stint as Florida's defensive coordinator where he led the Gators to a top 25 national ranking in total defense.
Thompson's 24-year collegiate coaching career includes 19 seasons as a defensive coordinator with stops at four Southeastern Conference schools ? Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU. He has also held assistant coaching positions at Conference USA members Memphis and Southern Miss while also serving appointments at Louisiana Tech and Northwestern (La.) State.
"Please continue to support our players and the staff," Thompson added. "The bottom line is, we didn't win enough games and we didn't have enough time, but we planted a lot of seeds."
ECU Athletics Director Terry Holland indicated a search to find a replacement to head the Pirates' football program, which has not enjoyed a winning season since 2000, will begin immediately after the conclusion of the season.
Opening Statement From John Thompson's Press Conference: "I want the thank the administration for the opportunity to be the head football coach at East Carolina University.
"It was great to be at a place with such tradition and expectations, and I am confident that those expectation still stay, I also said when I came here that I look forward to building on that tradition through recruiting, through relationships and winning championships. It is an honor and a privilege to be at a place like ECU. I am confident that we have recruited talent, and good young men to this program and the type of men that represent what ECU stands for. We have built solid relationships throughout the state, region, and across the country. I whole-heartedly believe that this program is in better shape than when I arrived here in 2002.
"This is a bottom line business based on bottom line results simple fact is we didn't when enough games and we didn't have enough time.
"Terry Holland asked me to be the coach for the last two games against Memphis and North Carolina State, and I agreed to do so. I could not and I would not quit on these players, these families, or on this coaching staff.
"I wish our players and fans nothing but the best in the future, please continue to support our players and our staff, thank you for the opportunity of being our head coach."
