The situation was confounding for Stacey Thomas. Never in a football career that began at age 7 had he entered a season with so much change.
Steve Wilson brought a new system to Texas Southern and a new staff and was forced to play 47 freshmen. It was more than Thomas, then a 6-foot, 200-pound junior, could fathom.
Yet from the confusion, Thomas mastered the system and went on to become an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive back.
But, oh, those first few days of 2004.
"This was my first coaching change I ever had in my life," Thomas, a native of New Orleans, said Monday.
"I didn't really know what to expect. I just stayed with a positive attitude, because I just didn't know what to do. It was kind of a shock to me, but it still turned out OK."
Thomas, the strong safety, was fourth in the SWAC with 104 tackles (50 solo). He had 11 1/2 tackles for losses, including 2 1/2 sacks, and recovered three fumbles.
"I still could have been better," Thomas said.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3301907
Steve Wilson brought a new system to Texas Southern and a new staff and was forced to play 47 freshmen. It was more than Thomas, then a 6-foot, 200-pound junior, could fathom.
Yet from the confusion, Thomas mastered the system and went on to become an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive back.
But, oh, those first few days of 2004.
"This was my first coaching change I ever had in my life," Thomas, a native of New Orleans, said Monday.
"I didn't really know what to expect. I just stayed with a positive attitude, because I just didn't know what to do. It was kind of a shock to me, but it still turned out OK."
Thomas, the strong safety, was fourth in the SWAC with 104 tackles (50 solo). He had 11 1/2 tackles for losses, including 2 1/2 sacks, and recovered three fumbles.
"I still could have been better," Thomas said.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3301907