When it comes down to it, the players are the people on the court making the decisions when the seconds are running down. But it is one man’s plays, advice and training that channels the players’ talents into hardcore skill.
He has taken the basketball world by storm, boasting impressive success in a short time. He has put Georgetown basketball back on the map, and is working hard on becoming a dominant force. John Thompson’s name has come to be feared by the Hoyas’ opponents.
JTIII’s success in his four years at Georgetown speaks for itself. He improved the team’s record from 13-15 to 19-13 in his first year, and developed the players into top-notch contenders. His achievements include a notorious win against then No. 1 Duke—the Hoyas’ first win against a top-ranked team in 21 years—returning the team to the Final Four for the first time in 22 years, developing a top-five pick in the NBA draft and winning the Big East regular season title two years in a row. But those still don’t completely display the effect Thompson has had on Georgetown Basketball. The respect the program has gained in so little a time says more about Thompson than any other accomplishment.
Thompson is not only making his mark on Georgetown, but is also making a name for himself around the country. UNC’s Roy Williams is sitting on an overall record of 135-32 (average of 27 wins per season) for his five years with the Tar Heels. Thompson, now in his fourth season with Georgetown, has gone 97-34 (average of 24.25 wins per season) so far. Although his numbers are slightly lower than Williams’, Thompson walked into a situation requiring more work than Williams found at UNC. In addition, Thompson has less experience behind him. Williams has been a college head coach since 1988, whereas Thompson hit the sidelines in 2000. Thompson can also boast that one of the 97 wins was a thrilling defeat of Williams himself on the road to the Final Four last year.
Comparing Thompson to Memphis’ John Calipari provides another interesting contrast. Calipari knows how to make a winning team of young players. The Tigers lost their starting guard and two additional players to the NBA in their 2006-2007 season, and Calipari managed to bring the young team to the Elite Eight. Thompson guided a team lead by juniors and sophomores to the Final Four.
Thompson also matches up well against Louisville’s Rick Pitino. Pitino’s up-tempo game is a model for teams throughout the league. Thompson’s mastery of the Princeton offense, a low-tempo game, also stands as a distinct form to follow. Many contend that the command of this technique was one of the most influential factors of the Hoyas’ rapid success. The Hoyas and Cardinals are 1-1 against each other this season, but when it came down to the wire Thompson’s slow tempo beat out Pitino’s speed.
The comparisons can go on, but the point is clear. Coach John Thompson III is not only the big man on campus, but a big man among today’s top coaches. This season’s success thus far is only moving Thompson’s career further up the ladder, and another Big East tournament win and strong NCAA tournament run will only improve his standing.
