Jamie Thompson has worked in the Polk County High School football program for 16 hears, including serving the past 11 years as assistant varsity head coach and defensive coordinator.

That background helped pave the way for his being named the Wolverines’ head football coach, by the Polk County School Board in a special session on Monday night.
Thompson also served as the Wolverines’ head wrestling coach from 1999-2007, twice earning Western Highlands Wrestling Coach of the Year honors.
“We are pleased to announce that coach Thompson will be the next head football coach at Polk County High,” said Polk County School Superintendent Bill Miller. “Coach Thompson has a proven track record in ‘the Polk County Football Way,’” Miller added. “He has been an integral part of what has been built and established at our high school. We believe he is the person to continue the traditions that have been established, and that he possesses the work ethic to take our program to new heights.”

Thompson’s hiring is the culmination of a two-month process to replace twelve-year head coach Bruce Ollis, who resigned to accept the head football coaching position at T.L. Hanna High School, Anderson, SC.
Some 30 individuals applied for the Wolverine position. A special committee interviewed seven of those candidates, then selected three finalists. Those finalists returned for a second round of interviews with a separate committee, which forwarded its final recommendation to the school board.
PCHS Principal Mary Feagan is also happy to welcome Thompson to his new position. “We are very fortunate to have someone already on staff to take over our football program,” said Feagan. “Coach Thompson knows our players, our traditions, our school and community, and I am confident he will continue the winning program he helped Coach Ollis start twelve years ago.”
Thompson is thrilled by the board’s decision.

 

“I’m excited,” he said. I”’m ecstatic. I’m ready to lead this program to great times. I’m excited about continuing a tradition we built– a foundation that is highly respected.”
Thompson has already immersed himself in his duties, including the physical training of the players. He noted that all of the coaches give the players everything they have, and the players respond by giving all they have.
“I’m looking to continue the traditions we began here,” Thompson emphasized. “Friday night football will look about the same.” Though the Wolverines will graduate four outstanding seniors this spring, Thompson and his staff have plenty to work with. “We’re locked, loaded, and ready to go,” Thompson said confidently. “We’ve always had the ability, not to (need to) rebuild, but to reload.”
“The past 12 years,” said Thompson, “we’ve built a program that is second to none. Since Bruce left, I’ve been pressing forward.” He assured Wolverine fans that he and his staff will build on what has already been accomplished, and take the team even further in the post season. PCHS Athletic Director Jeff Wilson also praised Thompson’s abilities and his character.
“I just want to say,” began Wilson, “that he is an outstanding person and an outstanding football coach. He’s an outstanding man and coach, and I look forward to his reign as head coach.”