Thompson Steps Down As Oakton Football Coach

With high school football starting up in two weeks, it might not have been the most ideal time for Oakton High's head coach for the past eight years to announce he's stepping down.

But having been on a path toward educational leadership for about five years, Joe Thompson couldn't pass up an offer to serve as assistant principal at Annandale High School. He will be leaving Oakton after 15 years on the football and special education teaching staff.

"I'm very concerned that the timing of all this is difficult," Thompson said. "I've been very concerned that the kids are assured that going forward they will get all the things they expect from Oakton football because they deserve the best."

But because he's handing the reins over to Oakton's defensive coordinator, Jason Rowley, Thompson said the transition will likely be smooth.

"He's been there for 15 years with me, and the rest of the coaching staff is staying, as well. I think that definitely will help the kids adjust," Thompson said.

Since becoming head coach, Thompson has led the Cougars to two regional titles — in 2005 and 2008 — and one state title in 2005.

Pat Full, the school's student activities director, also expressed confidence in Rowley's ability to pick up where Thompson left off.

"I know Jason will continue the many traditions of the football program with the same Family, Academics and, of course, winning tradition," Full wrote in a statement.

Joan Reimann, whose son C.J. is a linebacker for the Cougars, said many parents were probably surprised by the timing of the announcement even though they knew Thompson had been on the hunt for an administrative position.

"It's never a good time to see a good coach go, but it's good that it's before the season starts," Reimann said. "A mark of a good coach and a good leader is that you can leave and your team will still march on. I think people are sad to see Coach Thompson go because he's a great guy and he's really done great things with the program, but I think we all realize for him it's a good move."

C.J. Reimann said he and his teammates may have been shocked by the announcement, but they understand and support Thompson's decision.

"The way he did it, he didn't leave because he wanted to coach somewhere else. He didn't leave because there was more money to be made somewhere else. He left because he wanted to spend more time with his family," said C.J., a 17-year-old rising senior. "As a team we have a lot of respect for them as coaches and as people, so we would never question their decisions."

C.J. also said transitioning between the two coaches will be a nonfactor, and he is excited Rowley will be at the helm.

"He has everything you'd want in a head coach, and I have full confidence he'll be a really good head coach in the Northern Region for some time to come," he said.

For now, Rowley is listed as the interim coach because Oakton did not open up the position to ease the transition with the season starting so soon. At the end of the 2011 season, the position will be open for hiring.

Rowley hopes his head coaching job continues beyond this season. A 1994 Oakton High graduate, Rowley called the head coach position his "dream job."

"I've been at Oakton for a long time," Rowley said. "This is my dream job, it's the job that I want. I certainly would look forward to continuing at that capacity."

But his focus is on the season at hand.

"I think you're going to see the same type of team that has been fielded since Joe's taken over. And that is a team that has a good work ethic that goes out to play hard and play to win," Rowley said. "The same ideals are in place. We hold the same values in terms of what we expect."

As for Thompson, he will miss his time at Oakton but is excited about the next chapter that lies ahead for him, his wife and his four young children.

"It's bittersweet. I really love the kids at Oakton and I love the coaching staff at Oakton. But I had a great opportunity to move on and I did," Thompson said.

For now, he's leaving coaching behind. But probably not for long.

"I've got four young kids and I'm sure I'll be helping out with anything they do in the future," Thompson said.