in honor of the late Coach Ed Thomas

Aplington-Parkersburg head football coach Ed Thomas was murdered this morning while overseeing a weight lifting session of 50 high school students. An unknown adult male walked into the session and shot Coach Thomas to death, including once in the head. He died a short time later after arriving at the hospital.

Coach Thomas was the 2005 NFL High School Coach of the Year. His combined record during his 37-year coaching career was 292-84. He coached four students that currently play in the NFL, including Aaron Kampman, a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers.

More prominent than his coaching fame was his impact on the community. A beloved leader who sought more than football titles, Coach Thomas made an even greater impact on his community following the E-F5 tornado that wiped out half of Parkersburg, including the high school, just over one year ago.

The following ESPN e:60 documentary features Coach Thomas and the story of how he inspired the rebuilding of a broken community.