Jim Tomsula

The problem with having a Hall of Fame is that every year we manage to overlook worthy candidates and look foolish when we belatedly enshrine them. For example, how could we have waited until 2004 to induct Jim Tomsula? And sadly by the time we finally got round to inducting Jim, he is now preparing for his 1st season with the Berlin Thunder after 5 highly successful years in Scotland.

Jim moves to Berlin for 2004

Jim is synonymous with Catawba College, which is a small university located in the small town of Salisbury in North Carolina (see link). He transferred to Catawba from Middle Tennessee State University in the late 1980's and graduated from there in 1989 earning a bachelor's degree in sports management. As a member of the football Indians, he played in 20 games over two seasons, recording 109 career tackles and played on the Tribe's 1988 SAC Championship and NAIA playoff squad.

After his playing days were over, Tomsula immediately started his coaching career at Catawba in 1989, serving as assistant football coach and strength and conditioning co-ordinator. He left a couple of years later to become the defensive front coach at Charleston Southern University - a position he held for 5 seasons before returning to Catawba for the 1996 season. He has been coaching the defensive line there ever since, also serving as co-defensive coordinator in 2003. In addition to his football coaching duties, Tomsula also took on the role as strength coach for all of Catawba's athletic teams, as well as co-ordinating the athletic work study program.

Jim and the Hounds, Dusseldorf 2002

In the spring of 1998 Jim's coaching career took an interesting turn when he decided to join the staff of the England Monarchs of the NFL Europe League and coach the defensive line. Although the Monarchs in their final season were a terrible team, losing 7 of their first 8 games, their defensive line was a strength and kept them in several games. One game that comes to mind was a home loss to the Admirals and Kurt Warner in Week 6, where the Monarchs D pounded Warner (5 sacks) and held the Amsterdam offense out the end zone - but a late defensive TD sealed a 16-7 win for the visitors. Jim must have made an impression on Claymores coach Jim Criner, as when the Monarchs folded after the 1998 season, Tomsula joined Criner's staff in Scotland.

From 1999 to 2003, Jim was the defensive line coach for the Claymores and one of the most identifiable and likeable personalities on the team. He consistently got the most out of the talent that was sent his way, and made sure that defensive line was always a strength for the Claymores. 2000 might have been finest year, when "The Hounds of Scotland" were born. Behind players such as Antonio Dingle, Chris Ward, Jabbar Threats, Noel Scarlett and Tom Tovo the Claymores amassed a whopping 44 sacks (2nd all time only to the 1991 Monarchs). All season the Hounds were a force and produced several standout moments, like the club record 9 sacks in a shutout of the Barcelona Dragons in a Week 7 game. Two weeks later they replicated the feat against the high octane Rhein Fire offense and helped seal the Claymores 1st WB trip in 4 years. In WB 2000 they would meet the Fire again, and produced another sterling effort in clamping down the league's top offense, but this time the Fire just edged out Scotland 13-10.

photo credit: The Mad Hatter

The legendary TOM-SU-LA banner, Barcelona 2001

The legacy of the 2000 Hounds remained in Scotland for a more seasons, as several players remained loyal to Jim and chose to return to the Claymores. Jim was loyal to Scotland even through the head coaching changes and turmoil that took place during these years. However after 2003, when Gene Dahlquist was not retained and Jack Bicknell was hired - Jim had a difficult decision to make. A much coveted coordinator's job was open to him in Berlin, while only the LB coach job was available in Scotland. It only made sense for him to go to Berlin and take the much deserved promotion and we certainly wish him all the best there.

We know from speaking to coach Tomsula that he truly has left his heart in Scotland, and his legacy here will not forgotten any time soon. Welcome to the Hall of Fame Jim!

Jim was as popular as any coach has been in Scotland

Preston (looking blue), Jim and Shuggie in 2000.