By Garth Shanklin
Sports Editor
There will be a new face in charge of the Clermont Northeastern football program in 2020, but it’ll be a familiar one to fans and players.
Steve Thompson will take over head coaching duties for the Rockets next season, replacing Jeremy Fishback. Fishback resigned in December, citing family as his main reason for deciding to step away.
“I’ve got a large family, my kids are growing now and they’re in multiple sports and activities,” Fishback said. “It’s more than a one person job. It’s time to help my wife out and coach my own kids for a while.”
CNE athletic director David Colwell thanked Fishback for his time in a statement emailed to The Sun.
“The Clermont Northeastern Athletic Department and community would like to thank Coach Fishback for his service and dedication the past four seasons. Coach Fishback helped bring energy and excitement to the football team that had not been seen in over two decades. Coach led by example, dedicating his time and resources to do whatever he could to help improve Clermont Northeastern and the athletes under his supervision. Coach Fishback will be missed and we hope for nothing but great things for him and his family in the future.”
Under Fishback, the Rockets won 21 games over four seasons, 19 of which came in the last two. CNE finished third or better in the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference National Division in each of the last three seasons. Prior to Fishback’s first season, the Rockets’ last finish of third or higher in league play came in 2010.
The wins and losses are one thing, but when asked about his time as the Rockets’ head coach, Fishback said the players are what he would remember the most.
“We had a lot of different kids that came through that I had an opportunity to coach,” Fishback said. “Each one of them was special to me and the rest of the coaching staff. It was a joy to have the opportunity to coach those young men.”
CNE didn’t have to look far to replace Fishback, as the Rockets chose his defensive coordinator to take the head coaching reins.
Steve Thompson was named the new coach at the board meeting on December 19, having spent the most of the past decade working for the Rockets’ football program in one way or another.
Recently, he served as CNE’s defensive coordinator. The Rockets allowed just 19.9 points per game last season.
Colwell praised Thompson in a second emailed statement.
“Steve Thompson is a Northeastern graduate and has served the football program in numerous capacities over the past ten years. Most recently, Coach Thompson has been the defensive coordinator of one of the stingiest squads in the SBAAC National Division. He has also been a teacher at the high school since 2017. Coach Thompson is a leader in our building and we have full faith that he will guide our football program with pride and class.”
Thompson was excited to take over for Fishback, adding he believes the transition will be a smooth one.
“It’s a dream come true,” Thompson said. “It really is. I went to school there. I played there under [former CNE and Goshen coach Mark] Slagle back in the day. Me and Fishback played together during school, there’s a little bit of an easy transition. There’s not going to be a dime’s bit of a difference between myself and Jeremy and how we run things for the kids.”
Thompson continued, noting he wanted to help keep the leadership of the program rooted in Clermont County.
“I didn’t want somebody coming in here from the outside. I didn’t want someone coming in, using the momentum that Jeremy built and using it to go somewhere else. I care about these kids. I want to make some men. Winning comes with that. “
Thompson feels like Clermont County rallies around those that can call the county home.
“I think any small town high school can be used for a stepping stone to go someplace else,” Thompson said. “I think Clermont County is pretty unique, they like their own. They take care of their own. When somebody that’s been there, walked the same halls, played on the same dirt field with the sprinklers that hit your kneecaps, it’s a good thing for them.”
In terms of on-field strategy, there will be little change, according to Thompson.
“We’re going to continue to be a high-powered offense,” Thompson said. “We’re going to be a tenacious defense. We’re going to get after you.”