January 25, 2021
After 22 years at the helm of the East Central Community College men's soccer team, including an eight-year stint as the men's and women's coach, Kenneth Thompson has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2021 spring season.
The ECCC alum has led the Warriors to numerous accolades during his long tenure including winning the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference North Division title in 2017 and a share of the title in 2012.
"East Central is my family, that is my word to describe it here," said Thompson. "My time here wasn't just a job for me; counting my time as a student, almost half of my life I have been involved with this college so it means a lot to me. My main focus right now though is this upcoming season and our players. Between now and June 30, I am full steam ahead coaching and recruiting and doing everything I can to lead this program."
Thompson's squads not only excelled on the pitch as players but in the classroom where the team ranked nationally in team grade-point average on 11 occasions. Along with stellar play and academics, Thompson instilled sportsmanship and class in all of his teams with two of his women's teams and four of his men's teams earning the conference's coveted Tom Shepard Sportsmanship Award during his tenure.
Through the years he coached 29 All-State, six All-Region, and one All-American players on the men's side and seven All-State and two All-Region players on the women's side.
"Kenneth Thompson is the father of soccer at East Central Community College," said ECCC President Dr. Brent Gregory. "He has built a solid foundation of success on and off the field and for that we will be forever grateful. We wish him much success in his well-deserved retirement."
Thompson said he looks forward to spending time with his family during retirement, but will always remain an avid Warrior fan and supporter of the college and the soccer program he was so instrumental in building.
"I've always wanted to work on and expand my small farm and spend time with my family and new grandchild so having that ability will be great," said Thompson. "I will always be around though since I live in the area and will definitely be in stands supporting East Central athletics."
Thompson started the ECCC men's soccer program in 1999. He took on the additional duties as head women's soccer coach when that program started in 2005. He coached both squads until a full-time head women's coach was hired in 2012.
"Kenneth Thompson has been the epitome of class and professionalism for over 20 years, not only at East Central, but throughout the state as he has great respect from all of his peers in our conference," said Director of Athletics Paul Nixon. "In terms of being a great role model for young men, they don't come any better than Coach Thompson. We will certainly miss his contributions to our department and appreciate all he has done for us and wish him the best."
Prior to joining the ECCC coaching staff, Thompson served as varsity and junior varsity soccer coach at Newton County High School in Decatur. His son, Will, is the current head boys' soccer coach at Newton County, assisted by his wife Sara.
A graduate of Morton High School and ECCC, Thompson holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Mississippi State University.
He is married to the former Cindy Russell and in addition to Will has two other sons: Will's twin brother Russ and Samm, also ECCC graduates.
