The Ballard High School football program has been struggling in the last few years but the newly hired head coach, Joey Thomas, hopes to turn it around.

"We're putting the boom back in Ballard football," Thomas said. "We're going to fight to put a product out there the community can be proud of."

Thomas fears that the community has lost faith in the football team and is taking several steps to get the community excited about football again.

"This isn't Coach Thomas' team, this is the community's team," he said.

Thomas has made appearances at the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, wants the team to take part in this summer's parade, and he's organizing a charity student versus staff game.

As an assistant coach at Kennedy High School for the past three years, Thomas got an idea what a successful program looks like and is prepared to bring it to Ballard.

"It's certainly a challenge and it's not gonna be easy," Thomas recognized. "We're in the toughest conference of the state but there are many small victories to be made along the way."

Thomas retired from NFL this season due to injury and decided to give his full attention to coaching.

"I love kids. I always knew I'd work with kids," said the father of two. "My dad was a coach. Coaching is in my blood. It's my task to make them great young men. To motivate, inspire and uplift these boys. If I can do that, I'll be a happy man."

Thomas said he's bringing the same principle of achieving excellence he had as a player, to the field as a coach.

"I'm holding myself and the players accountable," he said. "I expect maximum effort. I'm always telling them "empty your tank"."

Spring ball doesn't start until May 31st but some players are already working with the coaching staff on fitness and agility.

Thomas said the game has changed since he played high school football as has the demands on teenagers.
"It's tough being a teenager these days. Kids have a lot more to deal with," he said while acknowledging that the game, too, as become bigger, faster and stronger.

Thomas said his goal is to instill a commitment to excellence in these young men to be used on and off the field.

"Football prepares you for life," he said. "The game taught me to be a man."

Thomas said he has a phenomenal coaching staff and looks forward to Spring Ball as it will give him a better feel of the team.

He asks for support from the community and would love a home-game commitment from the supporters.

"The chips have been down," Thomas said. "But the way I see it, right now, it's an even deck. We're undefeated at this point."