Sports
Leo Names New Basketball Coach
Former Leo Star Jamal Thompson Takes Reigns of Boys Catholic League 2A Powerhouse
Shawn Frison has been removed as head varsity basketball coach at Leo High School, effective Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Leo alumnus Jamal Thompson, 36, has been named head coach for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
A full investigation into an altercation involving Coach Frison led to the decision. The incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in downstate Washington, Ill., where the Leo basketball team took part in a tournament.
Details and accounts from witnesses helped complete the investigation. It was determined that Coach Frison acted in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a Leo High School employee: administrator, teacher, staffer or coach.
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"We thank Coach Frison for his contributions to Leo over the last three-plus seasons and wish him well as he moves on in his career,"Leo President Dan McGrath said.
Thompson was an All-State and All-Catholic League point guard at Leo, graduating in 2000. He went on to play and coach at Quincy University in Quincy, Ill. He has been involved in youth basketball since returning to Chicago and coached at Seton Academy until the school closed in 2016.
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"This is a dream come true," Thompson said. "Leo is my school, and I've wanted to come back and help out since I graduated from college. It will be a blessing to be involved with our young men, not just on the basketball court but in the classroom and in other aspects of their lives."
"Jamal was a finalist for our coaching job last time we had an opening and was a very strong candidate," McGrath said. "We were impressed with his devotion to Leo, his basketball acumen and his rapport with high school athletes. We're lucky he is available and happy to bring him in to lead the program."
Fred Cleveland continues on the staff as an assistant coach.
"I know Fred, and I look forward to combining ideas with him," Thompson said. "It always helps to work with a veteran who's been around and sees things I might not see."
Leo, 3-1, opens Catholic League play at Loyola Academy on Friday, Nov. 30.
