Remove Coach Thomas as the head coach and athletic director of CHOCTAW High School

Coach Thomas is a man of strong character that make positive impacts on our youth and serves as a mentor to many. He is both skilled and gifted as a Coach; the winningest in Choctaw history, to be exact. I stand with Coach Thomas!

This petition reeks of nothing but spleen and sour grapes. It offers no real proof of the allegations leveled against Greg. The petitioner claims "Throughout his career at Choctaw, the football program has suffered tremendous losses including the overall win/loss record", but then blows up their own argument by stating that his overall record is 74-60. The next reason given, "Recruiters have little interest in our program due to the number of losses suffered by our team and this, in turn, impacts the ability of our student athletes to be given the appropriate scholarships and football opportunities they have worked so hard for" is fallacy. College recruiters look at the individual athlete, not the teams record. The charge of Thomas "relays to the student athletes the likelihood of their athletic career continuing beyond high school is dismal". Around 7% high school go onto the next level, with less than 2% playing on the NCAA Division I level. Calling the truth dismal is hardly an argument. Coach Thomas is trying to convey that you have a very short opportunity to play football and you need to take advantage of it. The parting shot of his tenure as athletic director is vague. What proof does the petitioner offer that other programs are suffering other than a "oh, by the way" comment? None. The petition ends with a plea to the principal to return to the winning ways of the past by firing the coach. If that is your goal, then you had better keep Coach Thomas because by anybody's math 74-60 is a winning record. This whole idea smacks of someone didn't get their way and should be dismissed as such.

i have a big problem with coach thomas.....he broke my record for most wins at choctaw....he has won 3 state championships, i have won only one....people support this coach, he is the real deal !!! a winner,a dam good ball coach!

Bye bye

Doesn’t know what he is talking about and calls kids inappropriate names

Whoever did this petition is a coward and liar. Thomas has been a very successful athletic director and coach under The leadership of great principals, Cindy Gates and Lee Hale, and Michelle Heck. Anyone who turns on a coach will also turn on a teacher and principal when they don’t get their way! Shameful and Disgusting! Toss Thomas had to lie to get this petition! This person has a personal vendetta against this coach because their son didn’t play or got his feelings hurt! So the parent’s solution is to let their kid quit and attack and blame the coach! Great intestinal fortitude and character!! Who really has a lack of character and leadership skills? Toss Thomas forwarded this despicable petition full of lies to the players and encouraged them to sign and also sent this to many present and past parents! Toss Thomas you don’t deserve to be called a BIG GREEN INDIAN! TEAM THOMAS!!!!!!

I don't know Coach Thomas personally or as a HC but I can say I watched him take Armwood to the limit in the 6A state semi-final game about 4-5 years ago with a team that shouldn't have been on the field with Armwood. Kids now of days wants to have it handed to them and not work for it. When the players stop caring and just worry about themselves the coach can't win. Choctaw has had some players transfer because they weren't winning, weren't playing etc but guess what...you aren't going to win every game, you aren't going to play unless you earn the playing time and transfering to another school is just the parents letting the kids run their house. I've been a football & basketball coach granted not at the same level as Coach Thomas but I know what parents say about their kids. Almost EVERY parent thinks their kid is the next great thing and in reality they aren't. Coach Thomas #1 job is to make sure his players are good humans, good students and make good choices over all. If winning football games is all your worried about then you are in this all for the wrong thing. In closing I laugh at the 93 signatures you have received. Looks like its going really good. LOL!

I have known Greg Thomas my entire life! Not a finer man to lead a group of young men. This "time out generation" is looking for the easy way to obtain their "goals" mommy and daddy cant always do it for you! Kids will never live up to potential by sitting around the dinner table hearing that "you are the best, it must be the coach" If the coach doesn't push them to work hard who will? And, yes it may hurt their feelings a little but, they will be fine! I would certainly think Coach Thomas can recognize college athletic potential, would some rather him lie to their kids? I don't think so, or maybe I'm wrong. BUT one thing is for sure, whether they are off to play football in college or get a job right out of high school they will be better prepared because of Coach Thomas! He prepares them for life, not just football!

Fort is “better” now I’m dead!

5 years ago Featured

I have met Coach Thomas and played an all-star game with him. He seems like a nice guy. But bo reason why Choctaw should be losing the games they have with the talent that they have. Good guy, not so good coach.

5 years ago Featured

When your defense gives up 50 points a game and offense can barely score a game it’s not just the players fault it’s the coaches they make no adjustments on there defense or offense they going 0-8 cause this team sucks

He has no desire to lead this team to victory

Coach Thomas is one of the best men I know. I had the privilege of playing for him in high school and under his encouragement and guidance I went on to play 4 years at NC State University. Could not have done it without Greg's influence. I would be proud to have him coach my own son! Faith, Family, and Football. Love you Brother!!!

I am curious, stats show that Coach Thomas has had many successful years. Many past students have had positive experiences with the program. Every year will vary depending on players, ability , teamwork etc.. só my curiosity is why was a petition started? I ask the creator of the petition, did you already try and speak to the Coach about your concerns? Did you go to the administration at the school ? It sounds like the concerns being presented are a matter that need to be dealt with in house. Not a bashing petition with anonymous comments and awful negativity. I do not think your process is the best way to handle the issues you are having. Coach Thomas is a passionate, kind, open minded , talented leader.. I could go on and on. Maybe you all need to work together on a solution that’s best for everyone. Coach Thomas is an asset to your school. Give him the courtesy of going to him with your issues. I am proud of Coach Thomas and his accomplishments. #TEAMTHOMAS

Best Coach ever

Coach Thomas is a dedicated, loyal, and consistent presence at Choctaw and we are fortunate to have someone who displays emotional strength for our kids, not to mention the years of experience he brings to the program. He cares at a personal level for those students and players that he is in contact with. He understands and takes time to figure out the challenges that may be hindering their development, then takes deliberate actions to help them overcome their obstacles. Our community needs leaders that are compassionate, understanding, yet not afraid to give “tough love” when needed. Coach Thomas has been this kind of leader and we need more like him.

Ricky , I am actually biased towards coaches in general especially at the high school level. I have been doing it for 30 years , and I realize when teams are losing it is the coaches fault , and when teams are winning it is because of great players. Difference of opinion , I don't believe high school players are children , they are young adults who can drive a car and make a baby. But always remember, you can't win the Kentucky Derby with a mule . Greg AND his teams have struggled lately but he is the same person/coach who won 4 state championships and has the most wins of any coach at Choctaw. I respect your service in the USAF by the way , our entire family loves the military.

The study found that children's upbringing had a profound effect on social skills later in life. Those children with “tough love” parents were twice as likely to develop empathy, resiliency in the face of difficulty, will-power, and control over their emotions. Try and see the other perspectives and the good over bad! Good always win, weak has never survived. Bad Is weak!

Well said. He's blessed to have you. Hope my daughter thinks the same of me when she becomes an adult. We try.

Coach Thomas is a great coach. He holds students accountable to their work ethics and expects them to give it their all. If this parents started the petition their child probably wasn't doing well and maybe got reprimanded. These are the kind of parents that hurts their children and not help them. They need to feel the real knocks of life. If you don't do well you're not going to get praise. You have to work for it and show heart.. Coach Thomas takes young boys and teaches them life lessons and grows them until young respectable men. They learn how to be respectful they learn about faith and they learn how to treat others. It's more than football its life lessons . You can't grow men into boys by being soft. They are winning in life by having coach Thomas. If they are losing this year it's not always the coaches fault it could be the students abilities it could be the team's you're playing. Are you playing somebody equal to your division? Are you playung teams in larger schools. Can you travel. If not raise money to travel to schools equal to your ability. Coach Thomas is a wonderful man and a coach and has wonderful character and is respected in the community and has awesome work ethics you all are lucky to have him.