4/20/2004

View a Printable Version of this story or listen to a webcast of the event. Read President DeGioia's Remarks.

Georgetown University today named John Thompson III to be head coach of its men’s basketball program, effective immediately.  As head coach, Thompson is the 17th person in history to lead the Hoyas' men’s basketball program.  

“John Thompson is an ideal fit to be the next head coach of Georgetown’s men’s basketball program,” said Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia.  “He has a demonstrated record of success as a head coach and is committed to the values that have defined our tradition for a long time.”

“I am excited about this opportunity to join Georgetown and its long tradition of athletic and academic excellence,” said John Thompson III.

Thompson comes to Georgetown after earning a 68-42 record during his 4 seasons as head coach of the men’s basketball team at Princeton University.  He served as assistant coach at Princeton from 1995 – 2000, before taking over the team in 2000.  Under his leadership Thompson guided Princeton to three Ivy League championships.  As assistant coach he helped lead the team to a Top 10 national ranking and five consecutive postseason appearances.

At Princeton Thompson has helped recruit and coach three All-Americans, three Ivy League Players of the Year, two Ivy League Rookies of the Year, and 12 first team All-Ivy League players. 

Thompson also played basketball as an undergraduate for the Princeton Tigers.  As a forward, he ranked third in all-time assists with 358.  He had 103 assists and just 34 turnovers as a senior.  He was co-captain of the 1988 team and shared the B.F. Bunn trophy that year as one of the Tigers’ Most Valuable Players. 

Thompson, 38, grew up in Washington, DC where he graduated from Gonzaga College High School.  As a high school senior he was named first-team all metro by The Washington Post.  He is the son of former Georgetown University head coach and basketball Hall of Famer John Thompson, Jr.

Georgetown’s men’s basketball program, which began in the 1906-1907 season, enjoys a long tradition of excellence with a 1361-874 overall record.  They won the 1984 national championship under the guidance of John Thompson, Jr. and were national finalists in 1943, 1982 and 1985.  The Hoyas earned 29 consecutive postseason invitations, with an overall postseason record of 53-31 (38-21 NCAA, 15-10 NIT). 

Hoya basketball alumni include NBA stars Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, Houston Rockets Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Congressman Henry Hyde.

About Georgetown University

Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in America, founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll. Georgetown today is a major student-centered, international, research university offering respected undergraduate, graduate and professional programs on its three campuses. For more information about Georgetown University, visit www.georgetown.edu.