Former NFL veteran joined the OPSU coaching staff in February, 2019 and will be the defensive play caller for our Aggies. Coach Thomas came to the Panhandle after two seasons as head football coach at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia. Thomas and his coaching staff won the 2018 conference title and had a playoff berth in his second season at MGA.
Prior to embarking on his coaching career, Thomas played collegiately at Georgia Southern where he helped the Eagles to win three conference titles, played in back to back National Championship games and winning the FCS National Championship in 1999. Thomas was an All-American and All-Southern Conference defensive back at GSU.
Thomas was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He spent eight seasons in the NFL, playing for the Jags from 2000-04 before playing for the Miami Dolphins in 2005. He then played for the Buffalo Bills in 2006-07. Thomas retired following the 2008 season after spending the year with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.
Thomas started his coaching career in 2011 at Wharton High in Tampa, Florida as special team’s coordinator and wide receivers coach for one season before taking on defensive coordinator duties for his 2012 season. In 2013 he moved to the collegiate level coaching the defensive backs for Webber International University, Babson Park, Florida. In 2014 Thomas became Head Coach at Ruskin High School in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to his coaching there, he was also Assistant AD for the school district with oversight of 35 sport coaches, budgets, facilities and scheduling. Thomas transitioned back to collegiate level in 2015-16 as defensive backs coach for Stetson University, Deland, Florida.
Thomas, a native of Warner-Robins, Ga., completed his Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Recreational Management at Ashford and University in 2011 as an honors graduate. He and his wife, Tanessa, have four children – Bryce (16) Kris (14) Kiera (11) Bria (9).
