BY MIKE PODGORSKI
Sports Writer

With his playing days behind the Frankford High School graduate and NFL running back is now one of the new assistant coaches for Bobby Wallace's Temple Owls. By Mike Podgorski Sports Writer Blair Thomas doesn't like being around losers and says he never wants to be part of a losing organization.

The ex-running back is a bit spoiled after playing for winning squads at Frankford High, Penn State University and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

So then why has he decided to begin his coaching career with a program at Temple University that has been associated with losing over the last several years?

"I think Temple has a team that's moving in the right direction in terms of getting better," Thomas said. "So I wanted to go there and do what I can to help the guys become winners."

About five months ago Thomas joined the Owls coaching staff led by new head coach Bobby Wallace. The 1985 Frankford graduate will be working closely with the club's running backs this fall.

Keynote speaker
Thomas will be busy over the next few months getting himself and his players ready for the upcoming season. He'll take time out of his schedule, however, to be the keynote

speaker May 20 at the Northeast News Gleaner--Rotary Club of Frankford's 13th Annual Sports Awards Banquet at the Chateau Caterers, Bridge St. and Harbison Avenue. (For ticket information call 535-4274). Thomas is no stranger to the banquet, at which as many as 35 Northeast area athletes and coaches are honored each year. In 1985, Thomas was named Male Athlete of the Year for his achievements in football and track at Frankford.

Before that, he was Public League Football Player of the Year in 1983 and 1984. He will become the banquet's first keynote speaker who had been previously honored as a player.

Winning football
Although playing winning football every game is a first step in turning Temple's fortunes around, Thomas said he won't be satisfied until the Owls start beating quality opponents on a consistent basis.

"I've been working extremely hard to get my guys familiar with our offensive schemes," he said. "If they learn as much as they can in the spring they'll be more ready to go when we get things underway for real in the fall."

Among Thomas' most talented pupils will be the co- anchors of Temple's ground attack this past autumn in Stacey Mack and Elmarko Jackson.

They've been working together less than half a year but Thomas has already developed a great deal of respect for his new boss.

"Coach Wallace is a diciplinarian and he makes sure everyone knows that he's the man in charge," he said. "I think our kids are beginning to look up to him and that's a sign that we're running a quality program."

NFL glory days
After basking in the glory days of the 1980's with the Pioneers and the Lions Thomas became the second overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft. He was the first round selection for the New York Jets.

He was a Jet for four years before moving on to New England following the 1993 campaign. Numerous minor injuries haunted him throughout his tenure at the Meadowlands.

"I don't think the organization had the direction and guidance that it has now with (head coach) Bill Parcells," Thomas said. "I wish Bill was coaching the team when I played there because I think the outcome of my career probably would've been a lot different."

Thomas' best days as a professional were spent with the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of the 1994 season.

He got a chance to participate in a couple of playoff contests -- including a National Football Conference semifinal clash against Green Bay where he rushed for a pair of touchdowns.

"It was really exciting to be able to go to Dallas that late in the year and contribute the way I did," he said. "I never got to run behind a healthy offensive line but I did play so I was elated never the less."

Final stop
His final NFL campaign was in 1995 when he represented his fourth professional squad -- the expansion Carolina Panthers.

According to Thomas the Panthers had a first class front office full of people understanding the sport of football and gearing its efforts toward becoming a Super Bowl contender.

"I don't think every organization really cares about winning," he said. "If they can finish .500 and please their fans I think they're happy. But there are some programs that you can tell want to win at all costs and Carolina is one of them."

Though his pro career never came close to being as successful as he was in high school and college Thomas still feels blessed having been in the NFL in the first place.

He also realizes that many players don't get to hang around in the pros for six seasons like he was able to do.

"I don't think I was given the opportunity to shine in the NFL like I had done before," he said. "But then again not everybody makes it that far at all."

He's a teacher
Instructing youngsters will be nothing new for Thomas as he has taken part in several football camps throughout the country in recent years.

Now he'll have a shot of sharing his knowledge and experience with the rushing machines at Temple.

"I always thought of myself as a student of the game," he said. "Now I'm willing to give back because it has always been a thrill for me to teach kids about football."

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