BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Union County Superintendent of Schools Mike Ripplinger understands that people won’t understand the decision he made in firing Andrew Thomas as the Union County High School head football coach, but stressed the decision was one that he felt was best for the program and one that he didn’t take lightly.
Ripplinger informed Thomas of his decision on May 29 and released a statement that same day that read: “In the best interest of the Union County High School football program — both in the immediate and long-term future — the decision was made to part ways with Head Coach Andrew Thomas. Union County is appreciative of the success Coach Thomas had during his tenure, and may he continue to have a successful career.”
In a sit-down interview with a Telegraph-Times-Monitor journalist on May 30, Ripplinger said the decision was based on “a combination of things over a period of time.”
“I believe most people who know me know that I don’t make rash decisions,” Ripplinger said. “I definitely would not have made a rash decision in this case.”
That’s not to say there weren’t some “sleepless nights,” Ripplinger said. After all, he was parting ways with a coach who went 46-14 over five years. Thomas’ UCHS teams had a 10-5 postseason record and advanced to at least the regional finals every season. The Tigers played in the state semifinals in 2022 and 2024.
“That was something I struggled with,” Ripplinger said.
The superintendent said he understands that the end of May is not when you want to make a coaching change in your football program.
“I admit that this is not the best timing at all,” Ripplinger said, “but at the end of the day, I made a decision based on what I believe is best for the student-athletes, both now and for the future.”
Because of the timing, the plan is to name an interim head coach for the 2025 season. That’ll come after Ripplinger talks with the remaining coaches on staff on Monday, June 2.
“I’ll have a meeting with them and just kind of go through where we’re going from here, the expectations and what we’re looking to do,” Ripplinger said. “I’ll appoint an interim head coach and athletic director. That individual will run the program through the summer and through this upcoming season.
“Toward the end of the upcoming season, we will search for the best possible candidate who is out there to take over the team for the spring. That will also give us time to get our resources together, not be in a rush and make a good decision.”
Ripplinger added that “the type of coach we’re probably looking for is not the type who would just walk away from a program at this time of the year.”
As for Tiger football fans, Ripplinger encourages them to continue to support the program, the coaches and, most importantly, the players.
“The ones who always deserve our attention and support the most are the players,” Ripplinger said. “That should not change. They’re the ones who are out there working out all summer long and hitting during two-a-days and kind of going through the grind of the season.
“Regardless of what has occurred off the field, they still deserve our respect and our support on Friday nights and during the week.”
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