Meet Coach Thompson

The Rock Academy welcomes Rob Thompson as head football coach.  Rob has coached track and football at Fallbrook, Orange Glen, and Army-Navy Academy prior to becoming the head football coach at the Rock Academy.  The following is an interview of Coach Thompson by Mikey Diggs.

MD: So before I dive into this interview, I just want to tell you a bit about myself. My name is Mikey Diggs and I am actually Miles’ nephew. I grew up in a Christian household in the state of Maryland playing football and lacrosse throughout my childhood and school years. When I was 16 years old, God spoke to me and had my family move here to San Diego. I am now going into my sophomore year at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA and I play lacrosse there.

RT: My son is only 15 months, but we are planning on getting a lacrosse stick in his hand as soon as possible. I heard it is a great way to get scholarships.

MD: That’s great! It really is a great sport. So first off, where does Christianity fit into the job description of “Head Coach of Rock Football”?

RT: All aspects, as a coach, a mentor to the kids. I want to coach based on Christian values. Even though we want to win we have to emphasize the word of God to the kids. I will teach them to work as if you’re working for God, not for your coaches or yourself.

MD: So what brought you to the Rock?

RT: I’ve been coaching in public schools for the last 10 years. But about two years ago, God told me to get involved with the church, to get out of my territory and get involved. I was a head track coach, but I wanted to make the jump to a head football coach. I want to be involved in a Christian education and Christian athletics. So I took the chance I was given.

MD: How did you get nominated for this job?

RT: Through the interview process. I applied. Just by chance, I was in my office about to go to track practice, and something told me to call. So I called and surprisingly he answered. We talked for a half hour and I got an interview. I told him I wanted to come only if I could teach too. I had to give a testimony.

MD: Oh okay, what do you teach?

RT: I teach English. I have a Multiple Subject Teaching credential and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I like the mentoring of kids, there’s not a lot of parental guidance in the world. I may be teaching 8th grade or 9th grade English. I will be teaching the football class, and maybe a low-level English class.

MD: How would you describe yourself as a coach?

RT: I always have a vision and a plan, and I am very proactive. I have realistic goals. I always try to be prepared. I’m very personable; I like to get involved with the school, parents, faculty, as well as the players. I’m a no-nonsense type of person. I like to work when its time to work. I don’t allow talking in the weight room and such. I like to have a family atmosphere with my coaches. I’m pretty open to the players and coaches.

MD: So you’re not like my lacrosse coach! That’s good, I don’t like that about him.

RT: (Laughter) No, I’ve had the pleasure to coach under 4 different coaches. The coach I like the most is the coach that gets involved with the other coaches and gives them responsibility. We don’t correct coaches on the field in front of other players because we want to be on the same page so the players know that we know what we’re doing. You know kids these days, if they sense that a coach doesn’t know what he is doing they will slack off and think that they are better than their coach.

MD: What is your offensive / defensive philosophy?

RT: I’d like to run a pro or spread offense. But we are young. So we are going to run a wing T. we can be somewhat successful against bigger teams because the formation provides better angle blocking. We don’t have a #1 quarterback, so we can put anyone in there to take snaps and run plays. On defense we will keep it simple. We run a 3-5-3 cover 3 with blitz packages.

MD: So is that three down with 4 linebackers and a rover with 3 defensive backs? I haven’t seen a 3-5 in a long time.

RT: No. It’s more like we have five linebackers but two are really defensive ends (which can give the look of a 5-3), and the DB’s will do a cover three. I have this because the rules are pretty much the same for any offensive formation they come up against. We have a lot of kids that haven’t played before so I don’t want to confuse them. We won’t run a lot of cover zero because we don’t have the athletes.

MD: If you had to pick one, what would you pick: the passing game (out of a spread type formation), the running game (out of any 2 or 3-man backfield set), or a west-coast offense? Why?

RT: it depends. If I could find a quarterback then I’d like to do half and half. We might get a transfer in, but I don’t know. As of now, we will run the ball and throw when we have to, and hope we can play defense. This is a first year program and I like that. I don’t have disgruntled players or coaches, everything is brand new. The players will run whatever.

MD: What is your best asset as a coach?

RT: Probably my organizational skills and my likability. Players take to me well and I have a good relationship with players. I have a Facebook and my old track kids friend me all the time. I enjoy keeping in contact with my kids. I’m a players’ coach - organized and proactive.

MD: Who do you model your coaching style after and why?

RT: Not really anyone, maybe coach Fran Schwenk at Doane College. He is now the head coach of William Jewel in Missouri. He was hard nosed but was very personable. He always had an open door; you could go to him for anything. He was a very nice person. I always admired those sorts of coaches. I grew up in Nebraska. Are you a Cornhuskers fan?

MD: I can’t say that I am. I’m more of a SEC guy myself.

RT: I might have to hang up on you right now (laughter).

MD: What are you most excited about for this coming season?

RT: I’m excited for a lot of things. Mostly getting these kids interested and fired up about football. The Rock is a basketball school. My goal is to make The Rock somewhere to go for football, not basketball. I’m not against basketball, but that’s just me. I want to develop excitement for football at The Rock. It is going to take some time because we are a first year program. We have to find what works and what doesn’t work, and those sorts of adventures are the kinds that are fun for me. I’m more excited about this year than I have in the past few years.

MD: Are there any players in particular that you are excited to coach?

RT: I don’t know a lot of the players. Some guys like Lawrence Trap, Joe Medina, and some other younger players I’m anxious to see how they do.

MD: What do you feel needs to be worked on at camp?

RT: Fundamentals and developing a sense of urgency. I told the kids, flag football and Pop Warner are over. Programs like Carlsbad have had so much time to develop and become good. Some of those kids have been playing football since they were ten. Unfortunately we don’t have that right now, and it is going to be a learning experience for us.

MD: Who do you feel presents the biggest threat on this years’ schedule?

RT: Bishops Academy. Maybe Crawford second. We’re only going to have about 20 or 24 players. It’s going to be a learning experience. I don’t want them to get discouraged about football. They’re going to learn a lot of life lessons this year through football.

MD: Well that’s what it’s all about. What about academic standards?

RT: Our goal is for the team to have a 2.8 or 3.0 average. I’m not familiar with the students but they’re going to be required to fill out grade checks, so I can be proactive. Football is extra, and you have to do your work first before you play. That’s why I like to be on campus, so I can monitor what happens in the classroom a little better.

MD: Okay last question: How important to you is presenting and glorifying God to your players on a daily basis?

RT: Very important. I have been so blessed in the past seven years; to not glorify him would be an insult. You can’t take God for granted. My goal is to remind them that everything they have is from Him, and He is looking out for them. He needs to be praised, and He needs to be a focus in their lives. I was told that some of the kids aren’t Christians, so I have my work cut out for me. I am going to be learning along with my players. Just because they’re at the Rock doesn’t necessarily mean they’re Christians. Jesus has to be your savior.

I’m just excited to meet everyone at the Rock and I appreciate their support. If you need something from me, feel free to ask. I want to see everyone at games! Please visit rockacademyfootball.com!

Colossians 3:23-24