After five straight losing seasons, Coach Thomas decided he would do whatever he could to turn the Golden Panthers into a solid team.
Before the season started, he had already made a huge decision that would affect the school in the long run.
Coach Thomas decided he would donate his first year’s salary back to the school. He said "I didn't come here for the money."
In his first year, the Panthers were 7-25, with a 4-14 conference record. Now, Coach Thomas is putting the first year behind him and looking forward to the future.
With the 2010 recruiting class Coach Thomas has pulled together, I suspect a better season from the Panthers.
The Panthers pulled in six recruits that will impact their roster, and most importantly, nabbed Dominique Ferguson, a 6-foot-8 forward.
Coach Thomas' recruiting tactic seems to keep working him wonders. His 2010 class was special, but the 2011 will have a bigger impact.
Coach Thomas has pulled in four recruits thus far. Two being highly-skilled, and should come in and contribute right away.
After letting Rakeem Christmas slip away to Syracuse, Coach Thomas addressed the backcourt and grabbed one of the best guards in the 2011 class.
Cedrick McAfee, a 6-foot-2 point guard decided FIU was the best choice for him. McAfee makes FIU's 2011 recruiting class special.
His physical talents and explosive mindset will be beneficial to a turnaround at FIU. Not to mention, under Coach Thomas, McAfee will grow into one of the better point guards in the game.
With McAfee, the FIU Panthers have a guard for the future. He joins Darnell Harris, Chris Coleman, and Yvan Ngirabakunzi.
His decision-making needs to improve before the Panthers can think about emerging as a Sun Belt power.
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