Jimmy Thomas has resigned after six years as the Bushland athletic director and head football coach. Thomas is getting out of coaching and will be the new principal at Channing High School. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
Jimmy Thomas resigns as Bushland athletic director/ head football coach
Jimmy Thomas delivered shocking news Wednesday morning when he announced that he was resigning as the Bushland athletic director/ head football coach.
After 24 years of coaching, Thomas is headed to administration where he’s expected to be named the new principal at Channing High School pending board approval Monday.
“I felt it was a good opportunity, and it was time,” Thomas said. “It was hard talking to the kids. I did it face-to-face, and tried to do it the right way. I told them as an adult and a man you have to make decisions that aren’t real fun. And this decision wasn’t easy. But I love our kids and our coaches.”
Thomas, 50, has been a head football coach for the past 16 years posting a 109-63 record. He’s spent the past six seasons leading the Falcons to a 47-26 record that included six straight playoff appearances. Thomas led Bushland to the Class 4A Division II state quarterfinals in 2017, not to mention a 12-1 record and a run to the Class 3A Division I regional round last season.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Thomas, who was the third active Texas Panhandle coach in wins. “I’ve been pretty sick to my stomach because I’m going to miss the game of football. I’ve been coaching it 24 years, so I’ll miss it and the relationship with the players and staff. It hasn’t been an easy decision.”
As for why the move to Channing, which is one of the smallest school’s in the Amarillo area, Thomas says he likes what Channing is doing in the school system.
“It is a small place,” Thomas said about Channing. “But they recently got a new superintendent with a new vision, and I’m excited with what they are doing.”