TEMPE - Sun Devil Wrestling head coach Zeke Jones has elevated Eric Thompson to a full-time position after two seasons as ASU's volunteer coach. Thompson focuses on the upper weights, and his promotion comes thanks to the NCAA's coaching rule changes that took effect on July 1. Thompson has been an invaluable mentor to three-time USA Senior World Team member and 2022 NCAA heavyweight runner-up Cohlton Schultz since he joined the staff in August 2021.
"Having this opportunity is exciting, and the goal doesn't change," Thompson said. "Being elevated shows our university's dedication to wrestling and I'm thankful to all of our administrators for taking our sport and this program so seriously. Coming here to work with Zeke Jones - a legend of the sport - has been eye opening. As I continue down this career path I'm always going to be thankful to be able to learn from one of the greats, and spending time with assistant coaches Lee Pritts and Frank Molinaro has been good as well for both me personally and for my overall career. It's important to be around these kinds of people and I feel lucky and blessed to have them here at Arizona State."
"We're excited that Eric has been elevated to the assistant coaching role," Sun Devil head coach Zeke Jones said. "He's been a proven performer as a young coach and we're really excited to see what he can continue to do with our upperweights and our whole program."
In Thompson's two seasons with ASU he has specifically aided in the development of Schultz, All-Americans Kordell Norfleet and Anthony Montalvo, and underclassmen legacy Cael Valencia. Thompson was in Schultz' corner during his 22-1 2021-22 season when the then third-year wrestler won his first Pac-12 title, collected Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year honors, and went toe-to-toe with Gable Steveson in the NCAA heavyweight final. Thompson helped coach Norfleet to his fourth Pac-12 title at 197, secured the transfer of 2020 All-American Montalvo prior to the 2022-23 season, and has worked intimately with 2023 Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Valencia. In two seasons working with Thompson, Valencia has earned 24 victories (five duals), and was a 2023 NCAA qualifier at 174.
"Having this opportunity is exciting, and the goal doesn't change," Thompson said. "Being elevated shows our university's dedication to wrestling and I'm thankful to all of our administrators for taking our sport and this program so seriously. Coming here to work with Zeke Jones - a legend of the sport - has been eye opening. As I continue down this career path I'm always going to be thankful to be able to learn from one of the greats, and spending time with assistant coaches Lee Pritts and Frank Molinaro has been good as well for both me personally and for my overall career. It's important to be around these kinds of people and I feel lucky and blessed to have them here at Arizona State."
"We're excited that Eric has been elevated to the assistant coaching role," Sun Devil head coach Zeke Jones said. "He's been a proven performer as a young coach and we're really excited to see what he can continue to do with our upperweights and our whole program."
In Thompson's two seasons with ASU he has specifically aided in the development of Schultz, All-Americans Kordell Norfleet and Anthony Montalvo, and underclassmen legacy Cael Valencia. Thompson was in Schultz' corner during his 22-1 2021-22 season when the then third-year wrestler won his first Pac-12 title, collected Pac-12 Wrestler of the Year honors, and went toe-to-toe with Gable Steveson in the NCAA heavyweight final. Thompson helped coach Norfleet to his fourth Pac-12 title at 197, secured the transfer of 2020 All-American Montalvo prior to the 2022-23 season, and has worked intimately with 2023 Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Valencia. In two seasons working with Thompson, Valencia has earned 24 victories (five duals), and was a 2023 NCAA qualifier at 174.
Camaraderie.
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) March 19, 2022
There's a special bond between @GoldBearUSA and @TheCohlTrain. pic.twitter.com/TQeLLXtuGE