Iowa High School FB Coach Killed

[fatediesel]

Ed Thomas, head coach of Aplington-Parkersburg high school, was shot and killed this morning in the school's weight room. Thomas was the 2005 NFL High School Coach of the Year and coached current NFL players Aaron Kampman, Jared Devries, Casey Wiegman, and Brad Meester. This is especially impressive considering Aplington-Parkersburg is a very small school that plays in the smallest 11-man football class in the state. Last year Parkersburg was hit by a tornado and Thomas' house was destroyed, but his first priority was getting the field repaired in time for the season. Stories on Thomas and the town's rebuilding were featured on ESPN and NBC's Sunday Night Football, among other national programs.

I live about 20 miles from A-P and have seen firsthand how much the football team has meant to the town. The shooter was reportedly a young individual.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/art.../NEWS/90624008