BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Andrew Thomas released a statement via his Facebook account on May 31 regarding being fired as the head football coach and athletic director at Union County High School, highlighting the success of the program during his five years at the helm and expressing his thanks to those who supported the program and to the players he had the opportunity to coach.
Thomas offered no specifics regarding his firing, which he was informed of by Superintendent of Schools Mike Ripplinger on May 29, but did say “plenty more details will come when the time is right.”
Following that, Thomas said, “I love Union County,” and added that “the amount of people that have reached out to me the past two days tells me all I need to know and gives me comfort that God has a plan.”
His statement would go on to describe how he enjoyed being in Union County and coaching for the Tigers.
“I was drawn to coach in Union County because of its history for loving and supporting their football teams. And Union County did not disappoint. They did support and still are very supportive of the football team, my staff, my family and myself. No matter what the future holds for my family and I, Union County will always be very special to me.”
Thomas said he has had nothing but “full support” from program boosters and the school board. He added that he knows many are asking what he did to get fired. His answer is he did nothing to deserve it and “will elaborate at a later time.”
His statement then focused on his family and coaching staff.
“While I gave this program my heart, it would not have been this successful without the help of my wife (Angel) and children. Some are aware — but obviously some aren’t — how much time and effort and love my wife and family have put into the background of this program.
“I have also been very fortunate to have a wonderful coaching staff throughout the five years that’s changed year to year — different guys that have bought into our culture and some who have gone on to better themselves as professionals and new guys that have come in and loved and built on what we’ve done the last five years. They have worked far beyond the hours of their paycheck.”
Thomas said coaches’ jobs are to “turn boys into men” so that they can play what is a “tough sport.” That job is “harder and harder in this day and age,” Thomas said, but he expressed his gratitude for the student-athletes he coached.
“Without them and their true commitment and buy-in, then we don’t have what we’ve had.”
Thomas highlighted the program’s accomplishments since he was hired in 2020.
“Best five-year run in Union County in 30 years. We’ve won 10 playoff games in five years — equal to the previous 16 seasons combined. Beat Madison County and Columbia for the first time. Third or fourth round playoffs every year. Two state semis/Final Fours.”
Thomas mentioned that the field got a new jumbotron, while the locker room got new legacy lockers and flooring. Also, the field house is being renovated.
“Most importantly,” Thomas said, is that 16 players have gotten opportunities to play in college.
The Tigers won 77 percent of their games under Thomas, who had a 46-14 record at the school.
Thomas closed his statement by saying, “Apparently, this culture of success has been challenged and questioned, but I’m dang sure proud of it.”
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