(San Gabriel) – San Gabriel named J.D. Thompson as its new head coach on Friday. Thompson was the offensive coordinator at Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach) last season and also spent several years at Corona Centennial previously.
Thompson graduated from Corona Centennial in 1994 where he played wide receiver and running back. He has spent many seasons on both sides of the ball as a player and a coach.
“I’ve been coaching for the least 16 years and have coordinated on offense and defense. I’d consider myself an offensive guy but I’ve done both,” Thompson said. “Let’s just say I’m a Corona Centennial guy which we means you can expect us to play fast and up tempo.”
This is Thompson’s first stint as a head coach.
“I’m excited. I haven’t slept too well the last couple of nights,” Thompson said. “I’m thinking we’re already behind and my mind’s just been racing thinking about all of the things I need to do. I’ve already started sending letters out to all of the parents.”
Thompson’s roots are in Corona but he is familiar with the area.
“I have a friends in the area. I know people that live just a couple of blocks away. I’m famliar with what Jude (Oliva) has done here and the success that he has had with the offense,” Thompson said. “The fact that San Gabriel made it to the championship game just a couple of years ago – that’s exciting. These are good kids here. Tough kids.”
Thompson takes over for Jude Oliva who resigned last month. The Matadors are coming off a 3-7 season (2-3 in the Almont League) and missed the playoffs.
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