Nate Thompson on entering year eight with Arkansas baseball

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) – In the previous seven years on the Hill, there’s not much assistant coach Nate Thompson hasn’t seen.

He’s been to Omaha three times, won two conference championships, and seen dozens of talented players develop into professional baseball players during his time at Arkansas.

“It all goes back to just doing the right thing and, you know, trying to help guys get better,” Thompson told PTN’s Alyssa Orange. “They want to have a high standard. They want to be demanded of.”

Times are changing in 2025, with NIL and the transfer portal changing the landscape of college baseball, it’s forced Thompson to adjust and evolve as a coach to keep up with the game.

The Goodland, Kan., native has had to balance a new generation of athletes with the outside noise of being a college student. It’s the accountability aspect that he relies at the core of his teaching.

“It was the 2023 season, you know, Jared Wegner had been a really good hitter for us all season. Then he broke his thumb,” Thompson said. “One time we just had to check him a little bit and, boy did he respond the very next swing.”

A grand slam against Texas A&M in the 2023 SEC tournament elimination game that helped keep the Hogs alive. It’s moments like these that Thompson coaches for. When things are going bad for the Hogs, the criticism goes right to the coach. The Dallas Baptist grad has his own way of dealing with the passionate fanbase.

“Can you block out the noise and focus on what’s important right now,” Thompson said. “Focus on what’s important right now.”

2025 will be a change for Thompson, instead of being in the coaches box at third base, he’ll be in the dugout next to Dave Van Horn. A chance to be closer to the players during the Hogs’ offensive half of an inning.

In year eight, Thompson is ready for what lies ahead while reflecting on the past.

“When we first moved here, I think my little one was four.” Thompson added. “Now she’s in the sixth grade. And so, yeah, time. Time goes fast.”