Thompson accepted the head coaching job at Ball State University in April 2006.[2] In his one season as coach of the Cardinals they finished a disappointing 9-22. Following the season, controversy developed surrounding a potential NCAA investigation into the basketball coaching staff attending voluntary player workouts outside of the regulated practice dates. The Ball State newspaper reported that on Sunday, June 24, 2007, "men's basketball coach Ronny Thompson was greeted at his office with seven note cards that simply read 'liars, cheaters, [racial slur].'"[3] Thompson resigned as men's basketball coach in July 2007, later claiming that he had been in a "racially hostile work environment."[4] Ball State later exonerated Thompson of rules violations,[5] apologized, and awarded him a $200,000 settlement. "In return, Thompson agreed to waive all claims he may have against the university and that nothing in the settlement constitutes an admission of liability or illegality by either party."[6]
Thompson joined Comcast SportsNet in 2007, offering pre-game/postgame analysis for the Washington Wizards and color commentary for college games. He also hosted the series My Life 365 with Ron Thompson, which featured interviews with the preeminent athletes and media figures of the United States. His subjects included sports/media moguls Ted Leonsis and Sheila Johnson, former Duke University swingman Grant Hill, Georgetown Hoyas teammate Alonzo Mourning, and legendary Hoyas guardAllen Iverson;Thompson received an Emmy for the latter interview. Thompson also conducted a rare, exclusive interview with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant months before he helped the Lakers secure their seventeenth franchise title. In the summer of 2010, Thompson served as director of the Kobe Bryant/Nike Summer Basketball Camp which toured China.
Thompson is also a contributor to NBA TV and occasionally served as guest-host for his father's The John Thompson Show, which was broadcast daily on-air/online on ESPN Radio until ending its run in February 2012.[7]