Current boys basketball coach at Sequoyah Claremore, Brock Thomas comes from a long line of great coaches. We dive into that history and what he enjoys most about coaching student-athletes at the high school level.
VYPE: Coach Thomas, when and where did you start your coaching career?
Brock Thomas: I started my basketball coaching career at Adair in 2018.
VYPE: Who is someone that inspired you to become a coach and an educator?
BT: My father and grandfather were both high school coaches. My grandfather was a state champion baseball coach, and my dad was head high school football coach.
VYPE: What is the most satisfying aspect of your job? Both on the court and in the classroom.
BT: Most satisfying part of my job is seeing the excitement students-athletes get whenever they realizing they are accomplishing things they didn’t know they could.
VYPE: How has the community support in Sequoyah been for your team?
BT: Our community support at Sequoyah has been tremendous. We recently had our Meet the Eagle Night for basketball, and it was in my opinion an unbelievable turnout.
VYPE: What lesson do you want your players who graduate from your program to learn as they enter the next chapter of life?
BT: Enjoy and be enthusiastic about what you are currently doing and a part of. Life is too short to always be chasing the next thing. Be present!
VYPE: Where was home for you when you graduated from high school and what college did you attend?
BT: I am originally from Salina. I graduated from Northeastern State University.
VYPE: When you’re not coaching and have some free time, how do you like to spend it?
BT: I am an Arkansas Razorback season ticket holder for football. I love spending time with my wife and two sons supporting Razorback football and basketball.
VYPE: What’s one piece of advice you would give young coaches who are entering the profession with their first job?
BT: “Plant a lot of flowers on the way up, because you’re going to have to pick them on the way down.” – Freddie Lewis. Great quote about building relationships because no matter how many wins you accrue one day the games will be over.
VYPE: What is the biggest change you’ve seen in your career since you started?
BT: I think in basketball alone we are making positive changes. Five fouls per quarter with two shots, no more 1-and-1. Shot clock is coming next year. The next step is getting basketball in district play throughout the season or splitting boys and girls teams in the playoffs.
