LCHS honors two long time Coaches
After many years of carrying the nick name ‘The Pit’ in high school football circles throughout the state the Falcon’s stadium at Lincoln County High School will officially carry the names of the two Head Coaches primarily responsible for the success and tradition of the program, - Coach John Meadows and Coach Louis Thompson.
Announced in the Media Guide at Falcon Football’s Media Night Friday, prior to the home opener against Giles Co. on August 19th the dedication for the naming of Meadows – Thompson Stadium will be made.
"Lincoln County High School is so fortunate to have had two head coaches over its 32 year history that brought the ‘right stuff’ to the program," said LCHS principal Jacob Sorrells. "Falcon Football has been a positive influence to so many players and the community and it’s due to the efforts of many but especially Coach John Meadows and Coach Louis Thompson."
"LCHS is proud of the tradition of Falcon Football," Sorrells added. "And we’re proud to see that tradition continue for all time with the naming of Meadows – Thompson Stadium."
When Coach John Meadows came to Lincoln County High School in 1979 he had already had a success career coaching in Alabama leading programs to State Championships, receiving Coach of the Year honors and induction’s into numerous Hall of Fame’s.
Lincoln County High School was fortunate enough to have Meadows cross the boarder for a second career in coaching being the first head coach of Falcon Football.
Meadows brought a program built on toughness. His teams were strong fundamentally in blocking and tackling. Known, as ‘Off Tackle John’ his philosophy was simple, ‘we’re gonna run it to the right until you stop us – then we’re gonna run it to the left’. Give Coach Meadows points on the board and a slight smile would cross his face with confidence that his Falcons were going to stop the opposition defensively.
After all, his 1984 team put a run together of 8 consecutive shutouts.
After three years at the helm of the Falcons Coach Meadows brought Lincoln County High School their first State Championship in 1982 in a thrilling 13-10 overtime victory against Gallatin. It was also the first year for the TSSAA to establish today’s State Playoff system. To this day the crowd on hand stands as one of the highest in TSSAA history.
In 1983 he was named Tennessee Coach of the Year.
Coach Meadows stayed with the Falcon program for 10 years taking LCHS to the playoffs six time and wins in the 1980 Lions Bowl and the 1981 Boyce Smith Bowl.
"There is so much you can say about Coach Meadows," said former Falcon Tim Johnson, a member of the 82’ championship team. "I was honored to have him as my high school Coach."
"Coach Meadows may not realize the impact he had on so many young men’s lives," Johnson added. "He taught you lessons on the football field that apply to everyday life. Many former Falcons have gone into coaching due to his influences – many have gone on with other successful careers and are active in their communities."
"It’s is very fitting that Coach John Meadows be bestowed as part of Meadows-Thompson Stadium," continued Johnson. "Both of these men, Coach John Meadows and Coach Louis Thompson are the roots for the Falcon Football tradition."
"It’s really nice," Coach Meadows said of the honor. "When Coach Sorrells (LCHS principal Jacob Sorrells) called me about it I told him he needed to name it Veteran’s Stadium. Those guys have paid the price. Coach Thompson and I were fortunate enough to get to coach football for a living. I guess it goes to show you if you live long enough they’ll name something after you,"
"I was also fortunate to have a wonderful wife Glenda who taught school, raised a family and had supper on the table every night and never complained," continued Meadows. "It takes some tough skin to be a coaches wife. I would not have had the career I had without her and my families support."
"I’ve had a lot of thrills in my life playing sports and coaching," Meadows added. "And this one ranks up there pretty high. Coach Thompson and I have both paid our dues – you have to love it to do it for a lifetime. I enjoyed my time at Lincoln County High School."
Coach Louis Thompson took over the helm of Falcon Football at Lincoln County High School in 1989.
Coach T is a graduate of Lebanon High School. He spend his college career playing for the legendary Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant at the University of Alabama winning National Championships in 1964 and 1965.
Thompson brought that same old school toughness to Lincoln County High School.
He spent his coaching career at Dadeville High School, Lebanon, Austin Peay State University and Unicoi County prior to coming to LCHS.
Coach Thompson spent the past 22 years as Head Coach of the Falcons handing the whistle to Coach Don Thomas this season. Coach T remains at LCHS as Athletic Director.
While at LCHS Coach Thompson led the Falcons to their second and third State Championships in 1990 and 1993. While at Lincoln County Coach T took the Falcons to play off appearances in 20 of his 22 years and claimed a Lions Bowl victory.
He served as president of the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association in 1990. He was Head Coach of the Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star game in 1991. In 2003 Coach T was Assistant Coach for the East-West Shrine Bowl All Star Classic. In 2005 Thompson was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame.
"For a high school football program to have just two head coaches over a 32 year period is remarkable," said former Falcon Kelly Holcomb member of the 1990 championship team. "It tells you the program had the right people in place."
"I’ve said many times my football career started with Louis Thompson at Lincoln County High School," added Holcomb. "We were fortunate to be a part of Coach T’s program."
"I was one of the few that got to play for both of them while at LCHS," Holcomb continued. "Coach Meadows was retiring and I remember the day he brought Coach Thompson came into the locker room for the first time. I was a skinny kid and I remember Coach T saying ‘that guy right there is the quarterback?’"
"Coach Thompson proved to be the right man for the job. He brought the old school toughest he’d learned under Coach Bryant at Alabama and made winners out of us."
"I think it’s most fitting that Thompson's name and legacy along with Coach John Meadows become part of Falcon Football for years to come with the naming of Meadows-Thompson Stadium."
"I deeply honored," Coach Thompson said. "I mean that from the bottom of my heart."
"I’ve been very fortunate with my career at Lincoln County High School. There have been a lot of people involved through the years to make Falcon Football happen," Thompson added. "I've been fortunate to have great support from the community, coaches, players and administration. I couldn’t accomplish it by myself."
"My wife Peggy and family have supported me through the years," continued Thompson. "Some years it’s been easy and some have been tough but regardless they have stuck with me."
"I was very fortunate to come into a program with the tradition of Falcon Football," he added. "Coach John Meadows started it – I was given the opportunity to continue that. It was tough coming into a winning program where the expectations were high but I made the right choice when I came to Lincoln County High School."
