Seth Thomas sparked a basketball revival at Jamestown. The South Callaway Bulldogs are hoping Thomas can help get them turned around.
Thomas has been hired as the new boys basketball coach at South Callaway.
The 27-year-old Thomas - a Hannibal native - replaces Keener Tippin III, who was 8-17 in his only season with the Bulldogs. Thomas will be a physical education teacher at South Callaway Middle School.
"Seth is a good fit for us in bringing our coaching position back to the faculty," South Callaway athletic director Tony Brandt said. "He'll be on campus every single day with our athletes, both on the court and off it."
Thomas noted South Callaway's storied athletic tradition had a significant impact in luring him to the position.
"South Callaway has a great reputation in athletics and the culture they have there is something I was looking for," he said. "Their athletes grow up in every sport expecting to win."
Thomas amassed a 60-23 record in his three years at Jamestown, directing the Eagles to a 26-3 mark this past season and their first district championship since 1980. Jamestown's season ended in a loss to Chamois in the Class 1 sectionals at Sturgeon.
The Eagles - who hadn't won a conference title since 1984 - also captured three straight CCAA championships under Thomas.
"First off, I'm grateful for the administration and E.H. Hirschvogel, the athletic director, for giving me a shot at my first job as a head coach," Thomas said. "I'll always be grateful to the Jamestown community.
"I came in with the sophomore group (now seniors), we got in the gym and worked, and created a family atmosphere. We taught the guys how to win, and then expect to win - we got in there and changed the culture and established a winning mindset."
Thomas is no stranger to Callaway County, having played four years at William Woods University before graduating in December 2014. He is the fourth-leading scorer on the Owls' career list with 871 points.
Thomas was also a student teacher at North Callaway and served as an assistant under former Thunderbirds head coach Matt Thomas in the 2014-15 season.
"Seth has a very strong background as a successful player and was an integral part of the William Woods program, and he's been around a winning program (as a coach)," Brandt said. "He's young, passionate about coaching and full of energy."
Thomas stressed the Bulldogs will be influenced by defense under his tutelage.
"We'll try to be a well-balanced team," Thomas said. "We'll have our defense fuel our offense - we want to create chaos and hopefully get some baskets out of that in transition."
In the meantime, Thomas is anxious to get to know his new players and surroundings.
"Excited is an understatement," Thomas said. "I'm ready to meet the guys and get going."