Now that Thames has a "best if used by May 2007" sticker on him, I think there are few things to look for over the next 2 years, in addition to those discussed at length here.  One, he is going to continue to make life good for his friends.  Lawrence Warren will be doing "business with the University" through May of 2007, probably at an accelerated pace, as will others in town.  I also look for Thames to be made a principal of Noetic, I-Squared, and other business entities affiliated with the University.  More MIDAS checks will be cut soon, and more ways of getting grant funds into the hands of his associates will be explored.  Of course, from a PERS perspective the two years between now and 2007 are very important for the Cynthia Moores, Jay Grimeses, and, lest we forget, the Shelby Thameses.

I believe that Thames really, really, really wanted to be president in 2010, when USM's 100th birthday will occur.  I wouldn't put it past him to dig up legislative records indicating that a group of visionaries began meeting about a small teacher's college for south Mississippi in the early (late) months of 1907 (1906), giving him the ground he needs (in his mind) to start throwing 100-Years! birthday parties as early as January (September) of 2007 (2006).

Look for (soon) the campus streets to be re-named, giving him another legacy (in his mind, again).  I also think he will spend much of his remaining time concentrating on athletics (facilities, etc.).  This will serve two ends: (1) put focus on something he loves, and (2) really get the fan base energized to fight the battle to extend him further (assuming his health holds up until the late Summer of 2006).  Where will the funds come from?  Dollars "saved" from faculty attrition.