Thomsen joins June Jones at local coaching clinic

Southern Methodist University head coach June Jones and Abilene Christian University head coach Chris Thomsen will join McMurry University's head football coach Hal Mumme as keynote speakers for the McMurry Air Raid / 3-3-5 Coaching Clinic conducted for Texas High School Football Coaches Jan. 21-23.

Spots are extremely limited for the three-day event in Abilene and interested coaches and staffs should contact McMurry offensive coordinator Matt Mumme to sign up for the coaching clinic.

Mumme, the pioneer of “Air Raid,” a version of the spread offense will join his staff along with Jones and Thomsen to provide insight on how to run the innovative spread-type offenses with effectiveness.

Under his offense, Mumme's primary quarterbacks over the past 19 seasons as head coach have thrown for  69,109 yards and 471 touchdowns. Jones, in just his second season at SMU, led the Mustangs to the 2010 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Championship and his team passed for 3,667 yards in 13 games this season. Thomsen, helped the NCAA Division II ACU Wildcats to their fourth-consecutive playoff appearance and a No. 13 final national ranking in 2009.

“We're excited to have coach Thomsen and coach Jones join us for the coaching clinic to help add to this great state's high school football tradition,” said Mumme. “Both of these coaches have proven to run spread offenses as the highest level of their professions and have a lot to offer.”

In addition, McMurry defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn, who is credited for inventing the 3-3-5 defensive scheme, will hold a defensive clinic for coaches along with his staff from McMurry.

Not only will coaches learn about X's and O's, but ACU head athletic trainer Corey Driskill will help educate both high school athletic trainers and coaches on concussions and heat-related injuries. The athletic training portion of the clinic is sponsored by the West Texas Rehabilitation Center.

When the clinic was introduced late in December, there were 200 spots available. However, more than half of those slots have been filled, and interested parties will need to contact Matt Mumme to ensure availability. The cost for the clinic is $50 and will be held at the McM Elegante Suites at 4250 Ridgemont Drive in Abilene. Registration for the event begins at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21.