Thompson is named head coach at J.P. McCaskey High School

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Pat Weider | January 24, 2022

Ben Thompson was named the permanent head football coach for J.P. McCaskey High School at a school board meeting last Tuesday night. Thompson was given the job on an interim basis right before the season after previous head coach Sam London accepted a college football job. Thompson is also a special education teacher in the school district. Thompson on the job opportunity “Big responsibility and excited for the opportunity”.

Thompson guided the program to a 2-8 record this past season and broke a 26 game losing streak for the program. Thompson was on London’s original staff, so he has been a part of the program for the last 3 years. Thompson on coaching with London “If not for him I probably wouldn’t be coaching”. If not for a chance encounter with coach London after tutoring one day after school Thompson might not even be coaching. He just happened to see London wearing his Coatesville hat and struck up a conversation since both played at Coatesville. London goes you interested in coaching? Thompson obviously said yes and thus started his journey to coming head coach.

Thompson said the football team has embarked on the off-season and he expressed a desire for every football to make strides in the weight room. Thompson said, “We need to get bigger, faster, and stronger”. He also said he wants his players to be more connected to the community as a whole. Thompson said, “We want to reconnect without community”. Being a part of your community is an important aspect of a football team according to Thompson. He also wants to grow the program. When I met with him he was in the hallway passing out folders with information to give to his players about the off-season. Thompson said, “Continue to grow our numbers and grow our program is a big part of turning this around”.

Thompson is McCaskey’s 3rd head coach in 6 years, the goal is he can give them some stability and help grow the football program. Xavier Morales one of the football players gave Thompson an endorsement when he said “He is energetic. He acts like a player when needs to, but he is good. His examples are perfect as a coach”. Thompson has the energy to turn around McCaskey and now he will have the job full-time to do it.

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