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Smooth transition Thompson pledges to continue Princeton tradition
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) -- The clothes that John Thompson III wore while being introduced as Princeton's coach Thursday said a lot about him. It was nothing fancy -- a black suit, an orange tie and little orange basketball-shaped decal with a black 'P' in the middle. It said Princeton, with its tradition and backdoor layups and smart, winning basketball. John Thompson III has no intention of changing any of that in taking over for Bill Carmody, who left to become the coach at Northwestern on Wednesday. "I want everyone who has been a part of Princeton basketball to know that I am going to work as hard as I can to maintain what has been established, maintain the tradition of excellence," Thompson said. "That's important to me, "the 34-year-old former Tiger player and captain added. "Princeton basketball is a part of John Thompson. I am happy to be here, excited, nervous, but it's part of my makeup and who I am." While his wife and mother attended the news conference, his father, former Georgetown coaching great John Thompson, was not at the news conference held in a room inside Princeton Stadium. The younger Thompson didn't feel the absence was his father's way of letting him have the spotlight. "I don't think it was him saying anything," John Thompson III said. "He's always raised us and taught me to be out there on your own. He and my mom have taught us to stand on our own." The only advice Thompson said his father offered last night was "to win, and to do that, get a center." Athletic director Gary Walters said the younger Thompson, who was an assistant under Carmody for five years, was the only person considered for the job. The move continues Princeton's tradition of hiring from within. Carmody, who replaced Pete Carril four years ago after 14 seasons as an assistant, informed Walters last Friday that Northwestern was considering him. Thompson was being interviewed for the job by Monday. He signed a contract Thursday morning. Terms were not disclosed. "It's been crazy week," Thompson said. "A little more than a week ago I was sitting in the office with Bill talking about getting Chris Young outside a little bit and how to get Nate (Walton) inside a little bit." Young, an unanimous All Ivy League center, has since signed a professional baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is ineligible to play basketball under Ivy League rules. Carmody is gone. Thompson is the coach. Recruiting visits can start soon. The basketball team starts practice in about a month and the season will open in two. "In this business you aren't afforded the luxury of time," Thompson said. "In a perfect world I would love to have a couple of months to prepare for standing here right now. I would love to have a couple of months to prepare for Chris Young leaving and Bill Carmody leaving. That's the nature of the business. I'll work hard." Walters said Princeton fans better lower their expectations this year. Not only is Young ineligible, Mason Rocca graduated and Ray Robins took a leave of absence. Starters Spencer Gloger, Ahmed El-Nokali and C.J. Chapman are back along with Chris Krug, who took last year off, and Walton. However, the Tigers have a schedule that includes games with nine teams that played in the postseason, including Duke. "We've been through some adversity before at Princeton and we're going to go through some adversity now," Walter said. "We're gong to turn it around and be back." Thompson is also going to be under the microscope for being the son of the man who turned Georgetown into a power and is now a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He's not worried though. "I've been John Thompson's son for 34 years now and I've grown used to being John Thompson's son," he quipped. And if he runs into trouble, Thompson knows he can count on his father for advice. He can also consult those in Princeton's extended family -- Carmody, Carril, current Air Force coach Joe Scott, who was a Tiger assistant last year, and Butch Van Breda Kolff, who preceded Carril as coach. "Our players are excited and nervous, but they are workers and they know with the unit we have returning, they are going to be successful," Thompson said. That's the tradition at Princeton.
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