Nate Thomas is back on the Marshfield sidelines, returning as head football coach after previously leading the Blue Jays in 2017 and 2018.
Thomas spent the past several years coaching at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, but his family continued living in Marshfield.
“When the opportunity presented itself to come back, it was really a no-brainer when it comes to my family and I,” Thomas said.
Thomas also serves as strength and conditioning coordinator and helps coach sprinters in track.
Thomas grew up in Dixon and played several sports before playing football and running track at the University of Central Missouri.
After college, he spent 11 years coaching in Liberty, including four years as offensive coordinator.
He came to Marshfield as head coach in 2017 before leaving two years later for Kickapoo following the retirement of Kurt Thompson.
Thomas and his family have lived in Marshfield for about 11 years. His wife works locally, his daughter is a freshman at Marshfield High School and his son is attending Ozarks Technical Community College.
One of Thomas' first priorities after returning was seeing where the program stood physically.
He liked what he found.
Thomas credited former head coach Cody Bull for the work already being done in the weight room.
“Cody did a really good job in the weight room,” Thomas said. “The guys and the girls alike were very, very well prepared.”
Thomas has introduced some changes to the strength program. One adjustment has been working with a shorter daily window than he had at Kickapoo.
The athletes, he said, have responded well.
“They haven't blinked an eye,” Thomas said. “They've welcomed me and the new way of doing things.”
Thomas expects the Ozark Mountain Conference to provide plenty of competition.
After coaching in the Central Ozark Conference, he sees another league filled with strong programs and experienced coaches.
“You look at it top to bottom, there are some very, very good coaches,” Thomas said.
That's something the longtime coach enjoys.
“You get to go put your best against their best,” he said. “It comes down to Friday nights and having our guys prepared.”
Marshfield opened the season with a tough loss after battling back from a 14-point deficit and taking the lead in the second half.
Thomas told his players some of the biggest improvement often comes between the first and second games.
They responded with a strong performance at Reeds Spring.
“They took that to heart,” Thomas said. “I was very proud of our guys, our players and our coaches alike.”
Thomas said the Blue Jays put together strong efforts on offense, defense, and special teams — the kind of complementary football he wants to see throughout the season.
