Get to Know the Alabama Gymnastics Coaching Staff – Ross Thompson
8/29/2024 2:38:00 PM | Gymnastics
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 athletics season, we caught up with first-year Crimson Tide assistant coach Ross Thompson in the final installment of our Get to Know series featuring the gymnastics coaching staff
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It was only ever supposed to be a one-off class, but an instant love for the sport set the stage for Ross Thompson's future career. Entering his first season as an Alabama gymnastics assistant coach, there is one thing, in particular, that has him most excited for the 2025 season – the journey.
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 athletics season, we caught up with Thompson for a Q&A in the final installment of our series, Get to Know the Alabama Gymnastics Coaching Staff.
Get to Know: Assistant Coach Ross Thompson
What drew you to the sport of gymnastics?
I actually started the sport when I was 10. I think my parents just signed me up for a trial class to burn off some energy. I instantly fell in love with the sport and quit all the other sports the following year. It was so different than any other sport I had played growing up. There was never a stopping point on how far you could push yourself, and every day brought new challenges and obstacles to overcome.
What was the best piece of advice you received from one of your coaches?
The best advice I ever received was probably from Justin (Spring, who was Thompson's coach at Illinois) asking me "Why? Why do you do what you do?" Your why is your purpose behind everything and that helps guide you in going after what you really want. It's what keeps you going in the hardest moments in workouts, but also in life. It was a simple question, and I remember not having the slightest idea on how to answer it. The answer took me a couple days to process but what happened afterwards was a real pivotal moment in my life. I truly don't think I would be where I am today if it wasn't for that one simple question.
What do you hope to instill to the current Alabama gymnasts?
That you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. I believe that you can accomplish whatever goals you have as long as you are willing to put in the work and sacrifice for it. It might take a little longer than you think and there might be a few detours along the way, but it will come eventually. You have to set your mind to it and know why you want it, and then go after it every day.
What are you most excited about for the 2025 season?
I am most excited for the journey! The journey of the highs and lows, the in-depth conversations, the hard practices, the early mornings, the breakthroughs – if you're not excited for all of that, it can get hard, fast. The real dream and excitement is in the journey to get to the destination.
You're stranded on a deserted island and are only allowed one other coaching staff member to help you survive – who are you picking and why?
This is a hard one. Strictly based off experiences and who is going to be the most helpful when it comes to gathering necessities and building shelter, I would have to go with Justin (Spring). He has a weirdly vast knowledge about random things, and I think we would end up having a great time. I do think we would be doing a lot of work in our days and not getting much done at the same time, so we would really need Ashley (Johnston) and Amelia (Hundley) to help us out. If all four of us were there, however, I think we would end up with an oasis and it would end up becoming a tourist stop for sure!
