Thompson out, Karam back at Becahi
Bethlehem Catholic makes surprising move at midseason
Rick Thompson told Bethlehem Catholic administration in December that this would be his only season as head wrestling coach.
At 2:30 Thursday afternoon, school Athletic Director Chris Domyan told Thompson that his tenure was over — two months shy of the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign.
“I got a text message from [Domyan] at a quarter to 2,” Thompson said. “He asked if I could come in to meet with him and the principal and assistant principal at 2:30.
“I asked what the meeting was about. There was an issue [with the team] that I thought they were going to address. [Domyan] said it was about the direction of the program.”
Forty-five minutes later, Thompson was out and former coach Jeff Karam was back — presumably on an interim basis.
The move comes less than a week after Bethlehem Catholic’s regular-season (EPC/LVC) winning streak ended at the hands of Liberty, coached by Jody Karam — Jeff ’s brother.
Jeff Karam won most of his 300 career matches in a decadelong tenure of domination at Bethlehem Catholic that ended after last season. He wanted to watch his twin sons Luke and Cole wrestle at Lehigh and New York University, respectively.
Both of Karam’s sons suffered injuries in late December tournaments in Florida, thus freeing up Karam’s schedule to step back in.
“I asked Jeff to come back and he said yes, as I expected,” Domyan said. “He has always been committed to the program and the school, because he is a loyal guy.
“Unfortunately Luke and Cole were injured, which meant he has some additional time. I’m very pleased that Jeff is back as our
head coach. As far as moving forward, we will take it one step at a time, but right now our focus is on this year's team.”
All of Thompson's assistant coaches at Bethlehem Catholic were part of Karam's staff, but the 63-year-old said he didn't think that was a problem during his brief tenure.
He also spoke favorably about the Golden Hawks who, he believed, were taking the necessary steps toward repeating at PIAA Class 3A team champions.
“Things were starting to change a lot,” Thompson said. “We were making headway. [Heavyweight Jase] Crouse asked me before practice the other day if we
were going to be doing runbacks.
“It was fun.”
Hearing the news Thursday afternoon was not fun for the former Bangor and Phillipsburg mentor with 477 career wins, including six with Bethlehem Catholic.
“I was stunned,” he said. “When I sat down at the meeting, [Domyan] said, ‘You remember what we talked about in December? We're going to make that change now.'
“I said, ‘What do you mean?'”
“He said, ‘You're done as coach. We're going a different way.'”
Domyan then asked Thompson for his wrestling room key, and the meeting was over.
Thompson said he went to the wrestling room to tell the wrestlers. He said every one of them shook his hand
and exchanged hugs with him.
“I told them I really enjoyed my time with them and that I want them to do what they always wanted to do, which was to be state champions again.
“It was kind of sad, emotional.” Thompson said the loss to Liberty — Bethlehem Catholic's first in the regular season to an EPC/LVC foe since Easton on Feb. 17, 2011 — will be a blessing.
He was taught a long time ago that losing is one of the best things that can happen to a team or individual. He believes it because a wrestler gets an accurate gauge about one's strengths and weaknesses.
“The worst thing that can happen to a team or an individual is to lose that last match, that last bout,” Thompson said.
“It's how you respond to [the loss]. Adversity is part of life when most should
learn from it. Nobody through a tough time.”
Thompson said he did not think outside factors (i.e. parents) were behind his removal, though he added that some people don't confront situations face to face.
He said he is looking forward to trekking to Vermont next month to hold his first grandchild, but said that won't signal an end to the wrestling coaching chapter in his life.
“I always want to win,” he said, “but, more importantly, I want to teach them values, things are important in the real world.
“It's not about having your hand raised. It's about winning in life.”
Thompson will spend this spring coaching middle-school track at Bangor, and would love to coach cross country
wants
to go again.
Should the opportunity to be a wrestling coach present itself again, cardio and pushups will be part of his approach.
“There will come a time when I have to say [it's over],” Thompson acknowledged. “Wrestling is a long, grueling sport, but one that can help in many ways.”
Bethlehem Catholic (6-1) returns to the mat Wednesday at East Stroudsburg North and home Thursday against Whitehall in a pair of EPC duals before competing in the Escape the Rock tournament next weekend at Council Rock South.
thousenick@mcall.com Twitter @TomHousenick 610-820-6651