Coach Thompson joined the UC Davis coaching staff in the Fall of 2022. He serves as the program’s Director of Player Personnel. Thompson brings over 20 years of coaching experience with him, including multiple stints at the professional, collegiate, high school, and European levels.
Coach Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Davis program. Prior to arriving at Davis, Thompson spent several seasons at the professional ranks, most recently in The Spring League (now the USFL), where he served as Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for two seasons. Thompson’s Special Teams units led the League in kick-off returns, blocked punts, and Special Teams’ touchdowns scored. Pre-pandemic, Thompson was part of the undefeated Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, where he was both the Assistant Special Teams Coach and Defensive Quality Control Coach.
After the XFL, Thompson returned to his hometown of Portland, OR, to take over as Head Coach of a struggling Franklin High School program. In less than two seasons at the helm, he won more games than the program had run in the previous three years combined.
At the college level, Thompson has coached in the FCS, Division 2, Division 3, and the NAIA, developing All-Conference and All-American players at multiple stops along the way.
No stranger to the Big Sky Conference, Thompson previously served as Running Backs Coach at his alma mater Portland State University. While there, he helped develop 1st team All-Big Sky Running Back Bobby McClintock and was part of a unit that led the nation in passing yards in 2008.
Previous coaching positions also include: Northern State University, Southern Oregon, Mayville State, Albright College, and Lewis & Clark College.
Thompson also has a rich history overseas where he has spent many of his off-seasons coaching and developing players in Europe, most recently as Offensive Coordinator for the Fehervar Enthroners of Hungary (10-0). As a Head Coach/Coordinator in Europe, he has compiled a record of 34 wins and 9 losses including a Czech Championship in 2017.
A native of Portland, OR, and All-City Running Back at Lincoln High School, Thompson played Fullback at both Portland State and Southern Oregon, where he was part of a 2001 team recently inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Thompson graduated with a BS in Health Education from Portland State University, and earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Northern State University.
