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

Greg Thomas is a great coach and an even greater person. He has helped thousands of kids grow into successful young adults - this is a fact that can’t be debated. He taught us how to win and be successful in life. He also helped create a lot of opportunities for people that would not normally have a lot of options after HS. I would not have gotten into the university I attended and played for without his help. It sounds like there is a group of parents in Florida that don’t know how good they have it.

Toss Thomas your full of BS. You probably never played the sport of football in your life.

This guy should have been gone a couple years ago

Coach Thomas is a great man and more importantly a great human being. His number one goal is helping boys become men. He is a great football coach with a great winning tradition. Sadly, many people don’t understand what it takes to make boys into responsible men. Too many parents coddle their boys and expect that a coach not hold their boys to high standards. Coach Thomas is “old school”. He expects and demands excellence. Sadly, today’s snowflake parents raise snowflake boys. Snowflakes melt under the bright lights of leadership. Coach Thomas keep doing what you are doing. We need more men like you. Keep inspiring boys to take responsibility and become men. You can never satisfy snowflake parents. Many of these reacting negatively and sheltering their boys from the real world, will sadly wonder 10 years from now why their sons are like them. No responsibility and never made anything of themselves. Coach Thomas is #1 on my list for coaching my children. I want them to be pushed, not coddled. Coach ignore the snowflakes. Keep doing what you are doing. Bear Bryant, Tom Landry, and Dave Thomas are looking down from the gridiron above and they all approve of raising men.

This is completely FAKE NEWS people of Fort Walton Beach and Choctaw High School. You guys are worse than FOX NEWS! Coach Greg Thomas has poured his life into your high school for a decade now and has made change in a positive way in the community and at the high school. I can guarentee NOT ONE of you have ever coached football for nearly 30 years and won 4 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Nor have you basically LIVED at the high school your children attend taking care of ALL ATHLETIC TEAMS while being the HEAD FOOTBALL COACH. YOU ALL ARE tearing this GREAT MAN down trying to BUILD YOURSELVES UP! WHAT HYPOCRISY! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES! COACH GREG THOMAS is not only A GREAT COACH. HE IS A GREAT LEADER. Lets get REAL HERE. All you parents who are UPSET THAT YOUR CHILD is NOT PLAYING can find another school and team. SHAME ON YOU! What are you teaching your child? GROW UP! I have never in my life heard of such immature CRAP from adults who HAVE NOT A CLUE what coaching and athletic directing Involves. You people are sitting around whining and complaining over COVID PROTOCAL and things that are out of Coach Thomas's control. All of you putting down Coach can go on with your LOW LIFE selves because the THOMAS way is HIGHER and full of CLASS! Do you seriously think Coach Thomas is wasting time listening to his community LIE ABOUT HIS CHARACTER! COACH; WE GOT YOUR BACK! IF GOD BE FOR US WHO BE AGAINST US! CHOCTAW HIGH PARENTS, ATHLETES, and COMMUNITY. GREG THOMAS IS HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD! The low lives of this world will reap what they sow! Not to worry! I love you Greg Thomas! YOU ARE THE BEST of the BEST! NORTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS cant relate to such nonsense! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GREG!

I would like to start out by saying.. for those that are signing this petition from a business standpoint, by all means, you have every right to look at the stats of Greg Thomas' performance as a coach and AD over the past few years at Choctaw. BUT please remember that opinions are not facts, and that losses don't define failure. I commend those that genuinely care for this program and it's success, but I do believe those people won't act out of emotion and defense. Now for my perspective. The past 27 years of my life, my dad has spent countless hours on the field, in the weight room, in the classroom, at games, on the bus, watching film, going to pep rallies, meeting with players, meeting with students, meeting with parents, meeting with faculty...the list goes on. He is committed to this sport and his players. To say life under Coach Thomas wasn't hard would be an understatement. I have countless stories to attest to this, but here are a few things I've picked up on as him being a coach: He values his team because everyone deserves to be valued by someone. He requires high standards because life demands high standards. He corrects and redirects because he believes in potential. He encourages faith because he doesn't want you to go through life without the Hope he has found. He exemplifies integrity because every young person needs that example. He believes in teamwork because we aren't meant to walk through life alone. He demands respect because attention doesn't go as far. He is a husband, father, brother, and son; all of which each young man will be one day. And in my opinion, that matters more than the wins and losses. As my dad always taught me .... "there are some things in life you won't like.. you just gotta learn how to suck it up". - The coach's daughter

This is a joke. Greg Thomases track record speaks for itself. It is always easy to blame someone or be negative with words through a computer screen. You ALL are the problem. Every coach goes through difficult seasons throughout their coaching career. It’s not always about wins and losses but teaching players about character and being great people and learning to overcome adversity. Parents these days don’t let their kids experience adversity they transfer or blame the coach instead. A lot like what is going on in this petition. I know for a fact Coach Thomas is teaching his players how to be better men and be successful in life. That is what really matters.

May I suggest if you have an issue or a solution to the issue - give constructive criticism in person or by phone. I would call, but “Toss Thomas” is not listed. This provokes defamation of character, passive aggressive behaviors, and hate. We all know this is not the way. Just curious- If you have to sign the petition more than once, do you also plan to vote more than once?

That’s a comment from a former member of coaching staff!

Not a family member! Here you go Toss thomas! I think you look at circumstances, I think you look at the fact that he’s the winningest coach in Choctaw history. Look at Choctaw before he got there, Choctaw before he got there always had talent, legit talent but was a mess he came in and turned things around the last few years have definitely been tough but that’s why I say look at circumstances. The talent has dwindled immensely, a few of the talented athletes at Choctaw recently had chosen to focus on basketball, just this year they were able to change that and get some of the basketball guys out there. But as a whole the talent level is just different than it has been the past few years. And then when it comes to this year it’s been a nightmare as far as being able to piece things together, the first game of the year they were out 9 players due to all this mess, including down to the 3rd qb and it’s just kind of snowballed from there. Look at the schedule so far 0-4 yes it’s hard. Niceville, Crestview, FWB , Navarre. 3 of those 4 are 7 A two classes above Choctaw and have more talent. And then Fort Walton, whose still a class ahead of Choctaw and that was the first time in 8 years that FWB won. Sorry for the ramble, but also when I see parents starting a petition midseason to remove a coach and then I get on and read the comments and realize whose parents it is, it all makes sense as to why their kids aren’t succeeding, it’s always somebody else’s fault. Look at that 2014 team Greg had, went to the final four against Armwood who was absolutely loaded and ended up losing by 5 but even that team that we had wasn’t always the most talented they just bought in and worked hard but he has always done more with less.

Yes. There are some which have a low self esteem. Football definitely changes that in a positive way. Kids will join to feel they are part of something big. They are. Coaches, parents will love each one of them. Because when its all over, its the positive experiences they remeber their whole lives. In turn they teach what they've learned. Helping the less furtunate as adults.

This is directed towards whomever “Toss Thomas” is. Again, I have know Greg Thomas for 37 years. In all those years I have NEVER heard him yell or lose his patience with anybody. I don’t know why you are spreading false rumors about Greg Thomas, but they need to stop.

Love the prayers before and after games. No team members or family object. Praying before engaging in a dangeruos sport is admirable.

My son played on two state championship teams in N.C. for Coach Thomas and he could not have been a better coach and role model. Sounds like this petition could have been started by someone that's kid wasn't a starter or that didn't make it to the next level and they have to blame someone. The above thread that stated he's hurting recruiting is ridiculous. If your kids good enough the colleges will know that and it doesn't matter if the team he's on has a winning season or not..

I agree. The cabinet will be taken care of. Ill ask him myself. Its better to support a struggling program than it is to bring it down further. Coach Thomas has a tough job. Lets further our support for the kids, coaches, families, and the program. It'll work.

I have no clue who started this petition, or why. I have know the Thomas family for 37 years. I was a teammate of Greg and Dave Thomas at East Carolina University. Greg learned the game of football from 2 great students of the game. His father, the captain, and from Ed Emory, Head football coach at ECU. You will never find a man that is as passionate about the sport, and his players, than Greg Thomas. I really feel like I am in the twilight zone, for someone to question Greg Thomas’ ability as an AD and a football coach. Choctaw HS, you have a great coach, DO NOT LET HIM GET AWAY!!

He support all programs.

Your right , he doesnt have to coach. Somebody who puts so much time in development is okay by me. When kids lack a role model. Coaches become that person, whether they like it or not. People. Fathers. Mothers. Just like the rest of us.

I understand frustrations here. Football Family vs Coach family. Time to mesh, join as a family to support these young adults as a family. Negativity doent help the program. Doesnt teach any values.

Sure an athlete can move on to a more successful program. Good luck. The enrollment is very high , students may never see a starting position.