The Ball State Daily News Online

Section: SPORTS
Originally published: 11/1/07 at 9:40 PM EST
Last update: 11/1/07 at 9:50 PM EST

Media Credit: Derick Brattain Ball State University basketball coach Ronny Thompson questions a call in a game on Feb. 22 against Central Michigan University. Thompson resigned as coach after one year, before becoming a broadcaster for the NBA's Washington Wizards. [Click to enlarge]

Almost four months after Ronny Thompson resigned from Ball State University, the former men's basketball coach was hired as an analyst for the Washington Wizards and college basketball.

Comcast SportsNet Communications Manager Stephanie Offen said Thursday the company's familiarity with Thompson contributed to his hiring to be an analyst for its basketball coverage.

Thompson played basketball for Georgetown University from 1989-92 while his father, John Thompson, coached the team. Thompson's brother, John Thompson III, is the coach of Georgetown.

"Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has hired Ronny Thompson as a Washington Wizards and college basketball analyst because of his incredible knowledge of this area's basketball scene," Offen said in a release.
"He will enhance our network's live game and news productions by providing great insight into the sport as a former player and coach."

Thompson resigned as the Ball State coach less than one year after he was hired. He resigned following the discovery of racist notes in his office. He said he was working in a racially hostile environment at Ball State.

In his one year as the Cardinals' coach, Ball State went 9-22. It was the most losses in the program's history.

Prior to coming to Ball State, Thompson was an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas. He also served as an assistant at Georgetown, Loyola College and the University of Oregon. He also worked as a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Thompson's lawyer, Matthew Keiser, said the job with Comcast SportsNet is a part-time job.

"He's still looking for coaching jobs," Keiser said.

Thompson's job at Comcast Sports Net will include postgame coverage for Wizards games, color commentary for the University of Maryland men's basketball games and hosting the networks's Holding Court segment.

His first day of work was Wednesday as a pregame and postgame analyst for the Wizards game against the Indiana Pacers.

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins declined comment about Comcast SportsNet's hiring of Thompson.

Keiser declined to comment about money still tied up in an ongoing dispute between Thompson and the university as a result of his resignation.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools