FISHER - Prior to each match, Andy Thompson delivers a roster for his Fisher-GCMS soccer team to the opposing bench. While that seems routine, it can create confusion.

"Once in a while, they (opposing coaches) just kind of look at me, trying to figure out who I am … if I'm one of the kids on the team or if I'm a coach," Thompson said.

You can't blame them, really. Thompson is a head coach in a player's body.

Like those on his roster, he was a teenager when the season began. He did not turn 20 until Sept. 11, yet is at the helm of a program for which he played just two years ago.

Thompson is filling in for eight-year coach Jared McAfee, who was called to active duty with the Air National Guard in the spring and is stationed in Washington, D.C.

"There is a spring club team here in Fisher and I was helping him (McAfee) coach that," Thompson said. "He had to leave and I kind of took over for the spring. I got to thinking that if he was going to be gone, they were going to need somebody for the head coaching position."

McAfee recommended Thompson despite his tender age and the fact he played soccer only as a senior.

The Parkland College sophomore has guided the Fisher-GCMS co-op to a 10-5-3 record, a marked improvement over last year's 4-11-5.

The Bunnies have responded to their young coach, though senior Brandon Clark said it was awkward at first playing for an ex-teammate.

"It wasn't like we were calling him 'Coach'. We were calling him by his name," Clark said. "Now, it's starting to be 'Coach.' It's gotten better."

Thompson has had to adjust as well. He admits being overwhelmed by the initial paperwork, from physical forms to insurance waivers to athletic code/drug-testing policies.

Yet, the real eye-opener came when the matches began.

"It's more frustrating than I ever imagined," Thompson said. "I can't go out there and do anything about what's going on. You can only tell people what to do and hope they do it. I get more nervous than I ever did as a player."

Easing the transition has been Jon Clark, Brandon's father and a longtime assistant coach. Thompson said Clark's knowledge and experience have been invaluable.

McAfee also talks by phone regularly with the coaches and has made it back for a few matches. Still, Thompson is in charge.

"He knows what he's doing," said senior midfielder Pat Rodgers. "When he tells me something, I know to listen. I think they picked the right coach for the job."

Junior midfielder Chase Kelley agreed, saying Thompson "has a closer connection to the players than any other coach I've had."

"Everybody listens pretty well," said Thompson, whose roster includes his brother, Alex, a sophomore. "I get the respect that I need and I give it back to them."

He hopes to stay on as an assistant next year when McAfee returns and plans to pursue a career in coaching.

"Andy's done a good job. I've seen him grow up quite a bit this season," Fisher athletic director Ben Derges said. "He's learning to deal with people in a more professional way. A head coaching position is a position of authority. It's a very mature job to have for a 19-year-old."