All signs are indicating ultra-successful Armwood defensive coordinator Matt Thompson will be formally announced as the next football coach at Jesuit on Wednesday.
What's known for sure is, Robert Weiner won't be returning to his alma mater.
The school has scheduled a 2:30 p.m. news conference Wednesday to announce the replacement for James Harrell, who resigned last month after three seasons. Thompson and Hawks coach Sean Callahan were conspicuous in not returning phone messages Tuesday, but former Hawks quarterback Josh Grady extended his congratulations via Twitter.
"Happy for Coach Thompson," wrote Grady, now a redshirt freshman receiver at Vanderbilt. "Couldn't Have Happened To A Better Or More Deserving Man."
Weiner, a 1983 Jesuit graduate and winner of four state titles in the past seven seasons at Plant, was widely believed to be his alma mater's top target following Harrell's resignation. Whether any serious discussions between he and the school ever materialized are unclear, but Weiner reiterated his intention to stay at Plant in a text message to the Times:
"I will NOT be named the new head coach at Jesuit," Weiner wrote. "I am a proud and loyal PLANT PANTHER."
Thompson, a 44-year-old Marine Corps veteran and dad of one, just wrapped up his 19th season on Callahan's staff at Armwood. The defensive coordinator for a decade, his units have earned three state titles (one of which was forfeited), two other state title game appearances, and have posted nearly 40 shutouts.