Thompson joining Britt to coach FC Mustangs.
Former Forrest City Mustang and Arkansas Razorback basketball players Marcus Britt and Trey Thompson, both Madison products, never played together in high school or college.
They will, however, be coaching together for the upcoming 2021-22 prep season.
That opportunity came about Monday night.
Britt, a 6'3" shooting guard and 2007 Forrest City graduate, was named the Mustangs "interim head coach" in July, stepping into the role held by former Forrest City coach Dwight Lofton, following his sudden and unexpected passing after 25 seasons.
Britt sat beside his former coach and mentor for the past two seasons after one season with Erica Taylor and her Lady Mustangs.
Monday, during a special school board meeting, Thompson was hired to be Britt's assistant coach, completing the Mustang coaching staff once again.
The two Madison products are hoping to do whatever they can and whatever it takes to return Forrest City basketball to a winning program.
"We are going to do our best to get Mustang Arena back to what it's supposed to be," Thompson said.
When asked about that Madison Connection, Britt said "That's the plan anyway. We have seen a lot of basketball talent come through Forrest City from Madison and we hope to be able to continue that."
Prior to graduating from Forrest City, Britt, in December 2006, signed a letter-of-intent with Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., while Stan Heath was still head basketball coach at Arkansas. Less than five months later, Heath took the job at South Florida, Louisiana Tech head coach Keith Richard was fired and John Pelphrey became the new Razorback basketball coach.
Pelphrey signed Britt, making him the first basketball player from Forrest City to sign a national letter of intent with Arkansas and the second basketball player from St. Francis County to sign with Arkansas in recent years, joining Palestine-Wheatley product Carl Baker.
Seven seasons later, Thompson, a 6'10" power forward and 2014 Forrest City graduate, signed with Arkansas, playing four seasons for the Razorbacks.
As a Mustang, Britt was one of Lofton's "Triplets" along with Kelson Stewart and Stephon Weaver.
The trio, who played through the 2004-07 seasons left their footprints on the Mustang program with a combined 68-18 win-loss mark.
The trio powered the Mustangs into the 2007 Class 6A state championship game, finishing as state runners-up losing to Jonesboro in that final.
In 2017, Britt, along with Stewart and Weaver, and as the Triplets were inducted into the Forrest City Athletic Hall of Fame.
Thompson joined Lofton's program for the 2011-12 season which ended with a 19-9 overall mark. The Mustangs finished 1810 to end the 2012-13 season but won it all in the 2013-14 season by captuing the Class 5A state title and finishing 24-4. Thompson helped provide the three-year 6123 mark and was named the state tournament MVP.
At Forrest City, Thompson averaged 17 points, almost 10 rebounds and four assists per game.
His ability to pass the ball served him well in Mike Anderson’s Arkansas system.
Thompson closed out his Arkansas basketball career after two seasons as a graduate assistant, a four-year letterman with the Razorbacks (2014-18), helping the program to three NCAA tournament berths and finishing his career with 299 points, 384 rebounds and 246 assists.
He was named to the 2018 SEC Community Service Team for men’s basketball and he is a threetime SEC Academic Honor Roll selection.
Both Britt and Thompson, following graduation from Forrest City, went on to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but, like in high school, where they never played as Mustang teammates, the two never played as Arkansas teammates either.
As an Arkansas Razorback, Britt enjoyed his role as a shooting guard and a “defensive specialist” or stopper during his four years under Pelphrey, getting into the game when a key defensive play was needed. He became more involved as an offensive threat during the latter stages of his Razorback career.
At Arkansas, Britt appeared in 113 games, starting 41 of those and scoring 394 career points
"We were just talking about our time at Arkansas," Britt said Monday. "I knew that Trey knew we both had played for the Razorbacks, but then I wondered if we had ever really just sat down and just thought about that. And the fact that we have both come back to Forrest City as coaches. I have to believe that doesn't happen very often, but I do believe it is going to be a great thing for this program, and I believe we will be able to turn some heads once we begin to put our mark on it," Britt added. "I'm more than just excited, if you can understand that. Both of us coaching side by side. It will be interesting to watch the opposing coaches when they come here to play and see us on the sidelines."
Thompson, following Monday night's school board meeting, said he feels good about making the return to Forrest City.
"I think I knew that at some point I would be a basketball coach somewhere," Thompson said. "I knew it.”
Thompson said he and Britt are ready to get started.
"I think we are hoping to get things started Wednesday," Thompson added.
At Fayetteville, following graduation, Thompson was on the Razorback staff with Coach Anderson and Coach Musselman and played 114 games.
Thompson worked to earn his master’s degree, and this past season, was able to work as an assistant coach at Providence Academy, a private school in Rogers. There, he worked with the junior high basketball program.
Thompson's connection at Providence was noted as well. The Providence athletic director had been Thompson's player development coach at Arkansas.
"That was a great experience for me," Thompson added. "And it all worked out."
Thompson said, as a coach, he has at times dipped into the Dwight Lofton bag of coaching knowledge.
"I try to combine my style with a little something from all of the coaches I have played for," Thompson said. "If Lofton was still with us and was watching me as a coach, I think he would tell me to just be myself and not to be too concerned about making mistakes. That's just part of it. I'm just going to be myself."
Thompson said he is looking forward to getting the season underway and is very excited about the upcoming Rumble on the Ridge in November.
Both played in the tournament while at Forrest City.
“I think we have something special in the near future and I am excited to be a part of it," Britt said recently. "I can’t wait to get on the court with our guys. We have a proud tradition of basketball at Forrest City and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue that tradition."