Eagles resurrect Thom's football career

When Sean Thom transferred from North Dakota State to Okaloosa-Walton Community College after his sophomore year, he thought his college football days were over.
Thom had redshirted on the football team at North Dakota State, but he focused primarily on baseball. After problems arose between Thom and the baseball coach, he decided it was time for a change.
That change led him closer to home and, Thom thought, closer to Division I baseball.
"I honestly didn't think I would play football again," Thom said. "Okaloosa-Walton is a real big baseball school. Going in, I thought I would play fall, spring and then coach (Keith) Griffin is usually good about getting players to the next level. I thought I would get into Division I baseball."
Shoulder trouble derailed the second baseman-turned-linebacker's baseball career. That's when he decided to give football another chance.
When Faulkner offered Thom the opportunity to play football again, he jumped at the chance. While Thom hadn't played a football game in two years, he said it didn't take any length of time to get back into the game.
His stats prove that assertion. Thom finished as Faulkner's leading tackler last season. "Sean's one of those guys that you'll see a big hit on the field and you know it's Sean,"
Faulkner coach Jim Nichols said. "You can pretty much bet on it. He knows the defense and he knows where the ball is going to go."
More importantly, Nichols said Thom's so smart that it's like having a second coach on the field. Despite having transferred colleges twice, Thom is a 4.0 student who has never earned anything lower than an 'A' in his academic career.
"It's just one of those things in my family," Thom said. "My dad graduated at the top of his class at Troy and went into the military. They always drilled into me getting my education."
Nichols' thought about Thom acting as a coach on the field is also accurate. When Thom, who will be a redshirt junior, finishes his college career, he hopes to join a major Division I program as a graduate assistant.
One day, Thom hopes to be a Division I coach. As for now, Thom is focused on trying to help Faulkner improve on its 1-9 inaugural season last year. He said the attitude within the program would help the Eagles with a quick turnaround.
"I think we're a lot more confident," Thom said. "Last year, coming into spring, we couldn't really have spring practice and no one knew the coaches or other players too well. Now we've developed friendships and bonds."
And now, at his third college, Thom seems to have found his home.Luke BrietzkeSpecial to the Advertiser
When Sean Thom transferred from North Dakota State to Okaloosa-Walton Community College after his sophomore year, he thought his college football days were over.
Thom had redshirted on the football team at North Dakota State, but he focused primarily on baseball. After problems arose between Thom and the baseball coach, he decided it was time for a change.
That change led him closer to home and, Thom thought, closer to Division I baseball.
"I honestly didn't think I would play football again," Thom said. "Okaloosa-Walton is a real big baseball school. Going in, I thought I would play fall, spring and then coach (Keith) Griffin is usually good about getting players to the next level. I thought I would get into Division I baseball."
Shoulder trouble derailed the second baseman-turned-linebacker's baseball career. That's when he decided to give football another chance.
When Faulkner offered Thom the opportunity to play football again, he jumped at the chance. While Thom hadn't played a football game in two years, he said it didn't take any length of time to get back into the game.
His stats prove that assertion. Thom finished as Faulkner's leading tackler last season. "Sean's one of those guys that you'll see a big hit on the field and you know it's Sean,"
Faulkner coach Jim Nichols said. "You can pretty much bet on it. He knows the defense and he knows where the ball is going to go."
More importantly, Nichols said Thom's so smart that it's like having a second coach on the field. Despite having transferred colleges twice, Thom is a 4.0 student who has never earned anything lower than an 'A' in his academic career.
"It's just one of those things in my family," Thom said. "My dad graduated at the top of his class at Troy and went into the military. They always drilled into me getting my education."
Nichols' thought about Thom acting as a coach on the field is also accurate. When Thom, who will be a redshirt junior, finishes his college career, he hopes to join a major Division I program as a graduate assistant.
One day, Thom hopes to be a Division I coach. As for now, Thom is focused on trying to help Faulkner improve on its 1-9 inaugural season last year. He said the attitude within the program would help the Eagles with a quick turnaround.
"I think we're a lot more confident," Thom said. "Last year, coming into spring, we couldn't really have spring practice and no one knew the coaches or other players too well. Now we've developed friendships and bonds."
And now, at his third college, Thom seems to have found his home.

-Luke Brietzke
Special to the Advertiser