NOTE: This story has been updated with comments from Streaks coach Chad Thompson and Galesburg Jr./Sr. High Athletic Director Nick Young.
Chad Thompson has stepped down as head coach of the Galesburg Silver Streaks boys basketball team.
Thompson, a Galesburg native and former Streaks player, announced Friday morning on X (formerly Twitter) that “… it is time for me to step down to move to the next chapter of my life both personally and professionally.”
Galesburg posted an 11-22 record this past season. In four seasons, Thompson led the Streaks to seasons of 23-8, 10-23, 11-21 and 11-22, for a career mark of 55-74.
In a letter to the Galesburg Basketball Community that Thompson posted on X, he said, “For nine seasons I have been a basketball coach in some capacity with the last four getting the privilege to be the Head Basketball Coach. These have been the best years of my life and getting a chance to give back to the program that gave so much to me has been an honor. With that, it is time for me to step down to move to the next chapter of my life both personally and professionally.”
— Chad Thompson (@thompson23_chad) March 28, 2025
Thompson met with the team Friday morning to discuss his departure as head coach.
In a statement provided to WGIL, Thompson said, “I have loved my time as the basketball coach at Galesburg and I am very thankful for all that it has done for me and my family. I am excited for the future and wish the team the absolute best. The future is very bright.”
Thompson will remain an outreach worker and cross country coach at GHS.
A 2011 GHS graduate and former Streak, Thompson served as assistant coach at GHS under Mike Reynolds and Ryan Hart.
Galesburg Jr./Sr. High Athletic Director Nick Young said the assistant coaches will run the program in the interim.
“I want to thank Chad for his service to our school and program and look forward to continuing to work with him as our cross country coach,” Young said.
Young said the search for a new coach is already underway, noting “Our goal is to find an experienced basketball coach with a track record of success.”
He added, “Our goal is to get a committee together of diverse backgrounds and opinions to evaluate candidates. We will be efficient with our time and plan to have someone named soon but definitely with enough time to meet the student athletes and prepare for the offseason and summer.”
