Scott Thompson finally calls it a career after 40 years in the coaching profession

Exactly 40 years ago, Scott Thompson’s coaching career began in the small, central Oklahoma town of Paden. He was in charge of the boys basketball program, from grades 6-12. But Thompson didn’t have much experience coaching the sport, much less playing it. Baseball was his primary sport.

“I had all this responsibility with basketball, and I knew nothing but my seventh grade offense that I remembered years ago,” he said. “And I had to learn how to deal with parents, how to deal with scheduling, how to deal with administration, and I knew nothing about it. I had zero experience, and that year was not enjoyable, but it probably taught me more about the occupation itself than any year I ever had.”

In late May, Thompson finally decided to retire after 40 years of mainly coaching basketball, but also coaching other sports like softball, track and football. He spent 23 of those years (1998-2021) at Northside, coaching softball and also serving as the assistant to girls basketball coach Rickey Smith, and together, they were part of eight state championship squads.

“That was a heck of a run, and a great career,” Thompson said about Northside. “And I got to see a lot of good athletes, and I got to see how to manage a team, and I was just lucky to be at the right place at the right time.”

Thompson was also fortunate enough to spend 11 years coaching various sports at Waldron, his alma mater. Then four years ago, Thompson returned to Oklahoma to coach the girls basketball program at Spiro Middle School after initially deciding to retire from coaching at Northside.

“I thought I was done four years ago; then I looked in my back pocket and said, ‘Hey, who’s going to pay for my insurance when I retire?’” Thompson said. “So I decided I would go, kind of put my name out there and take another job if it fit.”

He got a call from Spiro’s superintendent, asking if Thompson was interested in coaching there. Initially, Thompson decided to do it for two more years, but ended up doubling his stay.

“I’ve been very successful, simply because I’ve had great kids and great, great support over there for the last four years,” he said. “But this is it. I am done. I am officially retired for the second time, and I think it’s time for me and my wife to enjoy a long time now.”

Thompson retired for good at the conclusion of the school year, and his final day was May 23.

“They gave me a rocking chair and kicked me out the door,” he said jokingly.

However, he got another honor upon retiring. He was named the 2024-25 LeFlore County Junior High Coach of the Year in girls basketball.

Thompson now plans to spend more time with his wife Regina, along with their two daughters and five grandchildren. He also sings in a local band called the Dreamcatchers, who play various gigs in the area.

“I’ve coached a lot of different sports, but I think what I gained from all of it is don’t be afraid to take it, take on a challenge, surround yourself with successful people, and learn that this whole business is about relationships,” Thompson said. “It’s not about you. We, as young coaches, a lot of times, get caught up in, ‘What can those kids do for me to make me look good?’ And when you do it long enough, you finally get that point where you say, hey, what can I do for these kids?

“Because that’s what it’s all about, it’s about relationships; it’s about coaching that 15th or 20th kid on your depth chart just as hard as you coach the first kid. And I think that’s what’s made me a successful coach, is that I simply love every kid, and I embrace every kid on my roster, and I want to see them all become successful, not just my best players. I think that’s my biggest perspective, is every kid is worth it; every kid is worth the investment.”

Nearly 40 years ago, Thompson had no idea he would have had a long and fulfilling coaching career.

“I just looked at it as a job to pay some bills,” he said. “I figured I’d be on the line at Whirlpool somewhere. After a couple of years, when Whirlpool left and I still have a job coaching, I said, ‘Hey, I guess this is what I’m going to do the rest of my life.’ But I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve loved it.”