Popular Russellville Track Coach Faces Termination
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 8, 2012
A longtime, popular high school coach is in big trouble for yelling at students. Russellville School District track and cross country coach Jerry Thompson is known for his old school style and pushing students. He's even continued to coach while battling cancer, but some complain he's gone too far.
"He was always the type of man, he would make you strive for excellence, said former student Debra Kirkland.
Kirkland, a former student athlete holds on to fond memories of Coach Jerry Thompson, who now coaches her daughters.
"He is nice and friendly and he will make an athlete out of you," her daughter Cathy added.
But at Wednesday's hearing, they got a chance to see a different picture.
"Throwing a water bottle in the locker room," an attorney read from a list of accusations.
Thompson is accused of repeatedly yelling at students and being late to work, along with seven other reasons the superintendent wants to fire him.
"Telling a student he should go to his home country if he couldn't speak English," the district's attorney said.
The district filed an ethics complaint against Thompson saying his relationship with students violates policies. The crowd watched surveillance of his interaction with a student after a complaint he grabbed a student's arm and pushed him against the wall.
But many say, they appreciate his style.
"He does a lot of yelling and screaming but he will make a better athlete out of you," said his relative, Tyrone Williamson.
Rebecca Possick's daughter used to be on the team and continues to work with athletes as a student manager.
"I can't believe they're putting him through this, he has been so inspirational to so many children for so many years," she said.
When word spread, families flooded Facebook with support and many braved the standing room only meeting for hours hoping their testimonies would make a difference.
"It would be a detrimental loss, he has been a fine coach and a fine man for several years," said Darin Kirkland.
The ethics investigation is ongoing and as of 10 o'clock Wednesday night the board had not returned from executive session.
KARK will continue following the story and bring you the board's final decision.
"He was always the type of man, he would make you strive for excellence, said former student Debra Kirkland.
Kirkland, a former student athlete holds on to fond memories of Coach Jerry Thompson, who now coaches her daughters.
"He is nice and friendly and he will make an athlete out of you," her daughter Cathy added.
But at Wednesday's hearing, they got a chance to see a different picture.
"Throwing a water bottle in the locker room," an attorney read from a list of accusations.
Thompson is accused of repeatedly yelling at students and being late to work, along with seven other reasons the superintendent wants to fire him.
"Telling a student he should go to his home country if he couldn't speak English," the district's attorney said.
The district filed an ethics complaint against Thompson saying his relationship with students violates policies. The crowd watched surveillance of his interaction with a student after a complaint he grabbed a student's arm and pushed him against the wall.
But many say, they appreciate his style.
"He does a lot of yelling and screaming but he will make a better athlete out of you," said his relative, Tyrone Williamson.
Rebecca Possick's daughter used to be on the team and continues to work with athletes as a student manager.
"I can't believe they're putting him through this, he has been so inspirational to so many children for so many years," she said.
When word spread, families flooded Facebook with support and many braved the standing room only meeting for hours hoping their testimonies would make a difference.
"It would be a detrimental loss, he has been a fine coach and a fine man for several years," said Darin Kirkland.
The ethics investigation is ongoing and as of 10 o'clock Wednesday night the board had not returned from executive session.
KARK will continue following the story and bring you the board's final decision.
Comments
to Woulfey W. Coach T teased a bit, but he did not harass his students. I had him as a coach from 1989 - 1996. He was extremely honest... sometimes I didn't like what he said but he spoke the truth. It is great that your son has done well for himself and I wager that he took some positive wisdom from Coach T. and applied it in his life. It is shameful that you are so happy that he was terminated, and equally a shame that you never had the opportunity to meet him.
Jeffery M.
November 9, 2012 at 8:48 pm
to Woulfey W. Coach T teased a bit, but he did not harass his students. I had him as a coach from 1989 - 1996. He was extremely honest... sometimes I didn't like what he said but he spoke the truth. It is great that your son has done well for himself and I wager that he took some positive wisdom from Coach T. and applied it in his life. It is shameful that you are so happy that he was terminated, and equally a shame that you never had the opportunity to meet him.
Jeffery M.
November 9, 2012 at 8:46 pm
100 years from now it won't matter what kind of house you lived in. How much money you had in the bank. What kind of car you drove. Or what career you had. THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS...IS YOU WERE IMPORTANT IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.
They can't take that away from Coach T and we thank him for being important in our lives.
cindy c.
November 8, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I'm sure the board already know who they will put in his place and I am certain that they will not be a minority.
Tony O.
November 8, 2012 at 6:33 am
Just got word he was terminated.
to Sherri H. ,
My oldest son had him for a cross country coach several years ago, and all i heard from my son was that coach t constantly harrassed him about the length of his hair. My son was into skateboarding and wore his hair long, was not a disipline problem, and was an honor student. He went on to be a fine U.S. soldier making the rank of specialist by the time he was 18 and has since applied for officer training and hopes to get to serve as a drill instructor on his way up the ranks.
I first learned of this situation several weeks ago, i suppose when it happened from my 12 yr old who witnessed some of the allegations...he was affected by this mans actions...as he has several hispanic friends.I never met the man, but I am glad to see this man go. Incouragement and strictness are one thing, but from what my kids have relayed to me, the man was a bully! There is no place for that in any aspect of coaching or teaching in my opinion.
Woulfey W.
November 8, 2012 at 1:52 am
Just got word he was terminated.
to Sherri H. ,
My oldest son had him for a cross country coach several years ago, and all i heard from my son was that coach t constantly harrassed him about the length of his hair. My son was into skateboarding and wore his hair long, was not a disipline problem, and was an honor student. He went on to be a fine U.S. soldier making the rank of specialist by the time he was 18 and has since applied for officer training and hopes to get to serve as a drill instructor on his way up the ranks.
I first learned of this situation several weeks ago, i suppose when it happened from my 12 yr old who witnessed some of the allegations...he was affected by this mans actions...as he has several hispanic friends.I never met the man, but I am glad to see this man go. Incouragement and strictness are one thing, but from what my kids have relayed to me, the man was a bully! There is no place for that in any aspect of coaching or teaching in my opinion.
Woulfey W.
November 8, 2012 at 1:51 am
I wonder who were the people that complained about him? It sounds like there are many people that support him whole-heartedly. The first thing that came to mind for me is that if it was a student that complained, I sure hope that person never joins the military. Can you picture mama calling the base commander to complain that the drill sargeants are yelling and picking on her "baby?" I visualize the good ole sarge in Gomer Pyle.
Sherri H.
November 7, 2012 at 11:57 pm
