Joel Thomas (born November 7, 1974) is an American football coach who is the running backs coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).
| New York Giants | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Running backs coach |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 7, 1974 Port Angeles, Washington, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Port Angeles (WA) |
| College: | Idaho |
| Career history | |
| As a coach: | |
| |
Early life and playing career
editThomas graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1993.[1] Following high school, he attended the University of Idaho, where he played as a running back for the Idaho Vandals. He was redshirted in 1995 for a broken foot, but returned to play for the team. Following what was at the time assumed to be a career ending injury to his knee during a 1997 game against the Air Force Falcons,[2] he ultimately returned once again to play in his senior season. He graduated in 1998,[1] and set the Vandals career records of 3,929 rushing yards, 51 rushing touchdowns and 765 rush attempts.[3] The records still stand as of 2019.[1]
Over his college career he was twice selected as a first-team All-Big West running back, and in 1998 he was named Big West Player of the Year. He helped lead the Vandal to a victory over Southern Miss that year's Humanitarian Bowl, receiving the Humanitarian Award following the game. He also received offers to play in the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game. Thomas graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in public communications.[3]
Coaching career
editCollege coaching career
editThomas started his coaching career in 2000 as a graduate assistant coach at Purdue. He remained with Purdue through 2001, before assuming the running backs coach position with Louisville from 2002 to 2003. He was then the co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach for his alma mater, the University of Idaho,[4] between 2004 and 2005, before returning to Purdue as the running backs coach from 2006 to 2008. Thomas then worked as the running backs coach for the Washington Huskies[1] between 2009 and 2012, where he coached a 1000-yard rusher in each season.[5] He was also named associate head coach for offensive responsibilities during the 2012 season.[4]
In 2013, Thomas became the running backs coach for Arkansas, a position he held through the 2014 season.[5] Upon his hiring, Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema stated that, “He excelled at the position as a player and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with his student-athletes and pass his knowledge on to them. He also brings a strong background of recruiting in Texas and Dallas specifically, which is a valuable area for us to have a presence.”[3] During his final year with the Razorbacks, Arkansas defeated the Texas Longhorns in the 2014 Texas Bowl.[4]
New Orleans Saints
editIn 2015, Thomas joined the coaching staff of the New Orleans Saints as the running backs coach,[6] having previously done a training camp internship with the Saints in 2012. He had also held a training camp internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.[7] Between 2015 and 2018, the Saints led the NFL in total team rushing touchdowns (82).[1]
Thomas missed the Saints' week 17 game on January 3, 2021, against the Carolina Panthers due to COVID-19 protocols.[8]
New York Giants
editOn January 19, 2024, Thomas was hired by the New York Giants to serve as the team's running backs coach.[9]
Recognition
editThomas is a member of the Port Angeles High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the University of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.[1]
Personal life
editThomas is married to his wife Ebbie Thomas, with whom he has two children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Michael Carman (September 20, 2019). "PRO FOOTBALL: Port Angeles grad Joel Thomas blends football with family as New Orleans Saints assistant coach". Peninsula Daily News.
- ^ Jim Meehan (August 31, 1997). "UI Defends Use Of Star On Punt Team". The Spokesman-Review.
- ^ a b c "Joel Thomas named Arkansas running backs coach". KAIT 8. December 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c THAYER EVANS (February 7, 2015). "Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas joining Saints' staff Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas is joining the NFL's New Orleans Saints". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ a b Todd Dybas (December 23, 2012). "Official: Arkansas hires UW running backs coach Joel Thomas". The News Tribune.
- ^ Evan Woodbery (February 10, 2015). "Arkansas confirms assistant Joel Thomas is headed to New Orleans Saints". NOLA.com.
- ^ Mike Triplett (February 8, 2015). "Saints reportedly hire Arkansas RB coach Joel Thomas". ESPN.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 3, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Giants hire Joel Thomas as RB Coach, Aaron Wellman as Executive Director of Player Performance". giants.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.