Source: John Thompson no longer candidate for Ark. St. DC job

From a source close to the situation:

John Thompson has pulled out of consideriation for the Defensive Coordinator job at Arkansas State. In an email exchange, there were multiple factors but Coach Thompson did not want to move his children again [Thompson has two sons, 14 and 11].   He said he'd like to come back home to Arkansas [at some point] but his family had to come first.

My take and what this means for 2011: This is great news for Georgia State fans. We will likely retain our DC for 2011 and I said after the Alabama game that keeping our coaching staff together is vital for long term success. John Thompson is a very good DC and game planner.  With another offseason conditioning program, another recruiting cyle, getting NG Eduardo Curry back from injury and adding a very good pass rusher in DE Roderick Thompson, our defensive line will continue to get much better.  This helps our LBs get better and in turn makes our young DBs continue to get better.

Updated: DC John Thompson to Arkansas State?

12.7.10 Update - Spoke to a contact of mine in Jonesboro, Arkansas and he confirmed that there has been lengthy communication with Coach Thompson about joining Arkansas State. My source was led to believe it's a matter of budget and ability to pay him a salary that is acceptable and competitive. No confirmation from there side or ours but my contact communicated with several boosters who say there has been communication between both parties and there have been appeals made to raise enough money through donations to bring Thompson in.

The rumbling from The Den at ArkSt.com, an unofficial message board of Arkansas State football is discussing the possibility of our Defensive Coordinator and Asst. HC for scheduling and strategic planning as being named the new DC under new coach Hugh Freeze. 

Freeze knows Thompson very well and they served together at Ole Miss and this would be a very good hire for Arkansas State.  I have the utmost confidence that CBC would hire a more than capable replacement if JT does accept this position.

This is not a shock to anyone that has followed our program as Thompson was actually a finalist candidate for the LSU DC job last season.  This is the blessing and the curse of a brand new program, if you experience success, your coaching staff gets poached by much larger programs. 

Georgia State vs. Old Dominion - Preview & Prediction

Georgia State vs. Old Dominion

Kickoff: 3:30pm Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

TV/Radio: Comcast Channel 499  WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5

Foreman Field.  Expect 19,782 people in attendance and only a few leaving happy.

Photo Courtesy of ODU Sports Communications

Quick Slant: The Panthers play their 2nd road game coming off an OT victory vs. NC Central (which then proceeded to fire its coach) 20-17. Old Dominion is coming off a bye week after getting their doors blown off in the 4th quarter vs. Cal-Poly. This game will serve as Homecoming for the Monarchs, a fact that all of our players and coaches know well.

About Old Dominion: ODU is 3-3 on the season and will join the CAA in 2011. QB Thomas DeMarco is a dual threat as he has rushed for 203 yards and passed for 1668 yards with 18 combined TDs (15 passing, 3 rushing). DeMarco spreads the ball around as 13 different ODU players have receptions. His primary target over the last 3 weeks is Prentice Gill a 5'11 WR out of Los Angeles. They've thrown the ball on average of 41 times per game and threw a season high 57 passes vs. Cal-Poly.

What to Watch:
1) Can the Panthers force pressure? ODU has allowed 7 sacks through 6 games. Getting after DeMarco will be a top priority because they have shown a propensity to wear down later in games.

2) Can the Panthers take advantage of a small front 7? The Panthers faced an NC Central 3-4 defense that had a combined weight of 1828lbs. The Monarchs are 102lbs. lighter across their 4-3. Patience with the run and a new offensive formation will help move the chains.

3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? The Panthers young secondary would currently rank 16th in the FCS in pass defense (not ranked statistically because we are technically reclassifying for the 2010 season) allowing only 149 yard per game through the air. ODU dials up passes. It's strength on strength and Fred Barnes will be in the cross hairs as he has been all year so far.

Georgia State Wins If...
They are able to win the turnover battle (ODU has thrown 9 INTs and lost 4 fumbles on the season). The Panthers have done a great job getting turnovers in the last few games but the inability to cash them in nearly got them beat vs. NC Central. Run the ball and continue to take your shots down the field to Danny Williams and the Panthers should send the Homecoming crowd home disappointed.

Old Dominion Wins If...
They ride the wave of emotion and hit big plays in special teams. The Monarchs do not run the ball except for show and on QB draws. If they can use the quick kicks and hit big plays in the passing game, they could beat the Panthers.


Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - Kelton Hill was the leading rusher vs. NC Central. I have no doubt that he will hold onto the football better this week and exploit a smaller front 7. The unveiling of a new offensive formation will only enhance the cuts that the RBs can make. 35 runs plus to take the crowd out of it and move the chains.


2) Keep the play in front of you - ODU likes to dial up long passes over the top. I'd venture to say they haven't seen what Coach Thompson has cooked up. The LBs will have to play big as DeMarco can take off if he smells trouble. They WRs are quick but not tall and our CBs and safeties will need to be aware of things over the top.

3) Spread the ball around - Drew has done a fantastic job spreading the ball around to RBs, TEs and WRs. I think the formula has to stay the same. It's safe to say that ODU is aware of Danny Williams after 2 100 yard receiving days. If they roll coverage his way, Sidney, Albert, Arthur and Bo will all have opportunities to make plays.

The Roar
Old Dominion has sold all of their allotted 19,000 plus tickets which will mean the Panthers are facing significant crowd noise for the first time. The coaching staff pumped in crowd noise to practice this week including the ODU fight song. ODU features 2 players from Georgia including former Georgia Tech and Dunwoody HS grad Deron Jasper. The game is being billed as a "Blue Out" with ODU fans wearing all blue.

Prediction: Georgia State 28, Old Dominion 21

Fall Practice #5: Hybrid Defense and a Position Switch

Big thank you to DJ for his complete run down.

-Great Insight on our Defense and Coach Thompson gains another fan.
-Cole Moon will be playing a new position come Fall.
-Christo Bilukidi begins to emerge.
-A new face in the Panther Backfield?

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