Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — Bill Shaver never met Mac Thompson. Still, the Thomas County Central football coach was saddened by the sudden passing of one of his coaching brethren Wednesday night.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Shaver said.
The same shock and sadness was felt by Thomasville High coach Richie Marsh, who coached against Thompson in Region 1-AA.
“It’s devastating,” Marsh said. “My heart just goes out to his family. It just goes to show you that we need to be prepared. I don’t know that we could ever be ready, but we need to be prepared.
“He was a great coach. He had done a lot at Cook already in one year,” Marsh added. “We prayed for him this morning with our first class. We’re going to pray for him again. ”
Thompson died at the Memorial Hospital of Adel. He was just 39.
It’s the second death in less than a year for the Hornets football program. In May, 2009, junior Roy White III died after collapsing during spring practice.
“It’s definitely got to be a shock to the community on top of what happened to that young man dying last year. I’d hate to go through that situation,” Shaver added. “Cook’s going to be a lot like it is in Thomasville. You know the football coach is going to be known by most people because of how important football is in south Georgia.”
Thompson guided the Hornets to a 7-6 record and a visit to the third round of the Class AA playoffs.
He leaves behind wife, Regina, and four boys, Colby, 14; Ethan, 13; Mckinnon, 11; and Isaac, 8.
“I think the Cook football family and their school went through a lot this last year or year and a half. We really need to be giving them a lot of prayer because they’ve been through a lot,” Marsh said.
“It just kind of sets you back. I think it’s a sad day for the whole coaching community in south Georgia.”
