Big Dakota
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Iowa HS coach Ed Thomas shot, killed inside school.
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UnoDallas
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he coached about 20 miles from my home town
Cedar Falls where Kurt Warner played his college ball
PARKERSBURG IA -- Tragedy struck Parkersburg again Wednesday after famed high school football coach Ed Thomas was gunned down by a former player and student in the school's weight room
Thomas began his career at Aplington-Parkersburg in 1975.
He has a career record of 292-84, including 156-31 as Aplington-Parkersburg's head coach.
He has won two state titles - 1993 and 2001.
Altogether Thomas has led A-P to 19 state playoff appearances. Thomas' win total ranks ninth all-time amongst Iowa high school football coaches.
He was the NFL High School Coach of the Year in 2003
He has four former players active in the NFL -- Brad Meester of Jacksonville; Jared DeVries; Casey Wiegmann of Denver; Aaron Kampman of Green Bay
I was the one who delivered the news to Aaron (Kampman). He was in meetings when we got the news. It's a tragedy. It's a tremendous loss, and our heart goes out to (Thomas') family."
-- Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers coach as told to NFL.com
Everyone's going to have be there for Jared (DeVries) and help him get through this.
-- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions coach as told to NFL.com
This is a tragic loss for everyone that knew Coach Thomas and our entire state. He was a highly respected educator, coach, mentor and a strong leader in the community, as well as the coaching community throughout Iowa. Ed loved his family and his work, and was an outstanding, selfless person who has impacted countless lives in a very positive way.
"Our entire staff and team extend our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family and the community of Parkersburg."
-- Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa football coach
"It's hard to figure out why anybody would (do that). He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He really cared about every one of those players like (they) were his own kids. It's just hard to believe that somebody would do something like this."
-- Brad Meester, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Coach Thomas was very special to me and many other young men from the Aplington-Parkersburg communities. His legacy for many will be associated with his tremendous success as a football coach.
"However, I believe his greatest legacy comes not in how many football games he won or lost but in the fact that he was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life trying to exemplify this faith and convey those values to those under his influence. His faith in Christ pervaded everything he did and that is why in the midst of the heartache we all feel there is comfort in knowing he is with his Savior."
-- Aaron Kampman, in a statement released by the Green Bay Packers
I was extremely saddened to hear the news this morning about the passing of Coach Ed Thomas. He was a great Christian man. I learned a lot from him, both as a player and a man. Last year, you could see exactly what the football program means to Aplington-Parkersburg in the way the community pulled together to restore the football field after the tornado. That is a reflection of Coach Thomas.
"I cannot begin to count the number of lives he affected in this community. I know I carry many of the lessons I learned from him with me every day. My family and I pray for Coach Thomas' family."
-- Casey Wiegmann, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who now plays for the Denver
Aside from my own father and mother, no one had a more profound impact on my life than Coach Thomas. He truly was like a second father to me and to the hundreds of players from our community he coached over the years.
"Aaron (Kampman), Brad (Meester), Casey (Wiegmann) and I were so proud when he was named the NFL's High School Coach of the Year in 2005. He truly epitomized everything that is good about high school football and all the things it can teach young men.
"A part of him has been with me through my college and NFL careers and that will never change. I will never forget Coach Thomas. Heaven just got a great football coach and an even better man."
-- Jared DeVries, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who now plays for the Detroit Lions
Cedar Falls where Kurt Warner played his college ball
PARKERSBURG IA -- Tragedy struck Parkersburg again Wednesday after famed high school football coach Ed Thomas was gunned down by a former player and student in the school's weight room
Thomas began his career at Aplington-Parkersburg in 1975.
He has a career record of 292-84, including 156-31 as Aplington-Parkersburg's head coach.
He has won two state titles - 1993 and 2001.
Altogether Thomas has led A-P to 19 state playoff appearances. Thomas' win total ranks ninth all-time amongst Iowa high school football coaches.
He was the NFL High School Coach of the Year in 2003
He has four former players active in the NFL -- Brad Meester of Jacksonville; Jared DeVries; Casey Wiegmann of Denver; Aaron Kampman of Green Bay
I was the one who delivered the news to Aaron (Kampman). He was in meetings when we got the news. It's a tragedy. It's a tremendous loss, and our heart goes out to (Thomas') family."
-- Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers coach as told to NFL.com
Everyone's going to have be there for Jared (DeVries) and help him get through this.
-- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions coach as told to NFL.com
This is a tragic loss for everyone that knew Coach Thomas and our entire state. He was a highly respected educator, coach, mentor and a strong leader in the community, as well as the coaching community throughout Iowa. Ed loved his family and his work, and was an outstanding, selfless person who has impacted countless lives in a very positive way.
"Our entire staff and team extend our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family and the community of Parkersburg."
-- Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa football coach
"It's hard to figure out why anybody would (do that). He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He really cared about every one of those players like (they) were his own kids. It's just hard to believe that somebody would do something like this."
-- Brad Meester, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Coach Thomas was very special to me and many other young men from the Aplington-Parkersburg communities. His legacy for many will be associated with his tremendous success as a football coach.
"However, I believe his greatest legacy comes not in how many football games he won or lost but in the fact that he was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life trying to exemplify this faith and convey those values to those under his influence. His faith in Christ pervaded everything he did and that is why in the midst of the heartache we all feel there is comfort in knowing he is with his Savior."
-- Aaron Kampman, in a statement released by the Green Bay Packers
I was extremely saddened to hear the news this morning about the passing of Coach Ed Thomas. He was a great Christian man. I learned a lot from him, both as a player and a man. Last year, you could see exactly what the football program means to Aplington-Parkersburg in the way the community pulled together to restore the football field after the tornado. That is a reflection of Coach Thomas.
"I cannot begin to count the number of lives he affected in this community. I know I carry many of the lessons I learned from him with me every day. My family and I pray for Coach Thomas' family."
-- Casey Wiegmann, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who now plays for the Denver
Aside from my own father and mother, no one had a more profound impact on my life than Coach Thomas. He truly was like a second father to me and to the hundreds of players from our community he coached over the years.
"Aaron (Kampman), Brad (Meester), Casey (Wiegmann) and I were so proud when he was named the NFL's High School Coach of the Year in 2005. He truly epitomized everything that is good about high school football and all the things it can teach young men.
"A part of him has been with me through my college and NFL careers and that will never change. I will never forget Coach Thomas. Heaven just got a great football coach and an even better man."
-- Jared DeVries, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who now plays for the Detroit Lions