Photo Credit: Caden Houser
Watch Caden Houser’s interview with the new head football coach of the Wonder Boys here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgFtg0JAtLk
Transcript:
CADEN HOUSER
“What is good Wonder Boy nation, I am Caden Houser here with the new head football coach, Roy Thompson. We’re so great to have you here, we’re so grateful, ready for our new football season. Roy, I just have a few questions for you. Thank you so much for coming along, coach.”
ROY THOMPSON
“Hey, thank you for having me.”
CADEN HOUSER
“To start off the year, ya know, what has the atmosphere been like in this new environment and what type of culture have you tried to establish so far?”
ROY THOMPSON
“Yeah, absolutely. Hey, I’ll tell you. Our guys have been super excited about the season, and they’ve been working extremely hard. Our motto, alright, is work. Go to work. Each and every day, we’re trying to be the best we can be. And so, we’re trying to achieve greatness every day. I was just telling the guys even before they went in: there’s no different in practice and this if we’re doing it right, right? This is just putting on a show for everybody else of what you do each and every day. And so, hard work, discipline, energy, effort, enthusiasm. That’s what we are.”
CADEN HOUSER
“Yes sir, those practice preps turn into game preps real quick. Alright, you spent 12 years on staff at Ouachita Baptist. During that time, the tigers racked up five GAC Championships. How are you going to bring that winning mentality here to Arkansas Tech?”
ROY THOMPSON
“I think it’s what we just talked about. Our motto is go to work. What you do everyday matters. Right? So, it’s really not looking at the long view. It’s thinking about things one day at a time. One practice at a time. So, today, again, it’s a combination- you win games based on what you do each and every day. That’s kind of how we looked at it. That’s the same philosophy I’m bringing here. What you do in practice matters, right? So,
every rep, every time you go out there, you want to be the best you can be, doing things the right way. And if we do that consistently, right? Like with great detail, we’ll have that same type of success here at Arkansas Tech.”
CADEN HOUSER
“Yes sir. And for those that don’t know, Ouachita Baptist had a top ten division two defense for three years. Holding team to under 20 points per game with Mr. Thompson. So great to bring that defense over here. What are you going to do to bring that defensive mindset and defensive philosophy to this team here?”
ROY THOMPSON
“Yeah. My Defensive Coordinator, Frank Espy, he was at Ouachita as a player. He coached there for several years. So, he understands the identity of 959 and VVR. That’s having 9 guys within 5 yards of the football 90% of the time. That’s who we are. It’s pursuit, right? And VVR: vicious, violent, relentless. So, hopefully today when you get to see those guys on the field, you’ll see that mentality. You’ll see that attitude on display. That’s what helps build those great defenses. And Coach Espy, he knows the culture, and he’s taken off full speed.”
CADEN HOUSER
“Yes sir. Even though you are a defensive-minded coach, what are you going to do to make sure the offensive side of the ball is putting up their part of the work, too?’
ROY THOMPSON
“Hey, I’ve got a great Offensive Coordinator, alright? Arkansas Tech alum, Kevin Wewers. He’s been around some of the best offensive minds in football and so, I think you’re going to get a preview of what it’s going to look like. It’s going to be exciting. We want to be physical on the offensive side, as well as defensive side, so we talk about that defensive mentality. Right, our whole football team is committed to, hopefully, dominating a lot in the scrimmage. But we’ve got talent, but I’ve got ultimate confidence in my office of coaches and the show that the guys are going to do each and every day.”
CADEN HOUSER
“Yes sir, alright, we’re so grateful to have you here at Arkansas Tech. Thank you so much for coming on. I’m your host, Caden Houser, and we’re here with Coach Roy Thompson. Here for Wonder Boy football, this year in 2025.”
