After two successful seasons in charge of the Ocean City Nor'easters, head coach John Thompson is stepping down.

Thompson finishes his coaching tenure with the Nor'easters with an 18-9-1 record in Premier Development League (PDL) play, while also leading the team in two runs in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. In US Open Cup play, Thompson led the Nor'easters to three wins, including a road win over the Charlotte Independence, a pro team in the United Soccer League (USL). Only one coach in team history (current Nor'easters Sporting Director Tim Oswald) has more wins in his first two years in club history.

“It's with much regret that I won’t be able to coach the Nor’easters next season," said Thompson. "The last two seasons have been full of great memories with the U.S. Open Cup, some dramatic come from behind victories and a great home record. I have loved every minute of time coaching in the PDL. The players, staff, interns and coaches I’ve worked with have been top draw and I wish the next coach the best of luck. It's a great setup in Ocean City and whoever will take the reigns will have everything in place to build another great team to represent the city."

The Penrith, England native is leaving his post to focus on coaching in the SJEB Rush organization where he will be in charge of a girls team in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA). The USSDA is made up of the top 80 clubs in the country which take part in regional leagues with players training in a professional setting. 

"It’s been a busy two years for me professionally as I have a full-time commitment to SJEB Rush Youth Academy," said Thompson. "We recently were awarded U.S. Soccer Development Academy status on the girls side, and I have three teams moving into that league so I have to give my full attention to the development academy teams."

Thompson, the 2004 Premier Development League (PDL) Defender of the Year and a two-time All-PDL selection with Ocean City as a player, was the seventh head coach in club history.

Before joining the club, Thompson, played his college ball at Lewis University (NCAA Division II) where he became just the 40th player in NCAA history to be named a First-Team All-American three times. After college, he was an integral part of the Ocean City Nor’easters organization as a defender from 2002-06, and later as an assistant coach.

"We would like to thank John for his last two years as the head coach of the PDL team," said Nor'easters general manager Giancarlo Granese Jr. "John has been part of the club since the beginning and was a tremendous help over the last two years keeping the club playing at a very high level. We would like to wish him the best of luck with the Barons as they take their next step forward into the development academy."