by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
It is official. Mark Thompson has informed Geelong officials that he is quitting coaching and walking out on the final year of his contract. Last week, he told CEO Brian Cook that he was mentally exhausted, at which time Cook told Thompson to take a few days to think things through. Thompson came back to the club and told outgoing president Frank Costa that he was tired of coaching and his resignation would be effective immediately.
While not completely ruling out a coaching role elsewhere in the future, Thompson said his immediate focus would be his family and private affairs and trying to get all of that back on track. At a press conference, Thompson further elaborated by saying "... the day to day relentless work of it. There's a few things in my life I want to fix ... I've got a lot of loose ends ... You are just totally absorbed ... miss family functions ... doing certain things ... leave things only half done and I've ... got to get back and look after myself ...".
Cook paid tribute to Thompson for helping to turn the club into a League powerhouse, acknowledging the success that came under Thompson's reign as coach. He noted that the team had won more games (161) than any other club under Thompson's coaching and had made seven finals appearances in that time. And there are of course two Premierships from three Grand Finals appearances. Cook said Thompson would always be remembered for the history he created with Geelong.
The club has already formed a working committee to seek out a new coach but said that while they would have a new coach prior to the commencement of preseason training in November, they would not rush the process. Former player and current assistant coach Brenton Sanderson is the favorite along with fellow assistant Brendan McCartney.
In other news, Danny Cororan has resigned his position with Melbourne Rebels rugby team to return to Essendon as Director of Coaching. Corcoran, a good friend to newly appointed coach of the Bombers James Hird, served in the football departments with Essendon (1998-2003) and Melbourne (1998-2003) before becoming CEO of Athetlics Australia in 2004. He joined the Melbourne Rebels as General Manager in 2010.
Source: sen.com.au, heraldsun.com.au
Article last changed on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 8:38 PM EDT
