Louisiana Welcomes Dennis Thomas as Defensive Line Coach
Louisiana Football has added Dennis Thomas as the program's new defensive line coach, head coach Michael Desormeaux announced on Wednesday morning.
Thomas joins the Ragin' Cajuns after spending the 2021 season on staff at Western Carolina as the Catamounts' defensive line coach.
"Throughout our search process for a defensive line coach, Dennis quickly emerged as a perfect fit for the #cULture," Desormeaux said. "He is a teacher, a developer, and a phenomenal position coach. Coach Thomas takes a very personal approach to developing his room by getting to know his players as people first. I am so excited to have our talented group of defensive linemen in his hands. There is no one better to lead this group into the future."
During the 2021 season, Thomas saw K.J. Milner rank eighth on the team in total tackles (38), fourth in sacks (1.5) and third in tackles-for-loss (5.0). Micah Nelson was also productive for the Catamounts, finishing the year with 33 tackles and 3.0 tackles-for-loss.
"It is an unparalleled privilege to join the Ragin' Cajuns' community as part of the first staff assembled under Coach Desormeaux," Thomas said. "Every day I come to work motivated and humbled by the elite talent and hard work that is visible throughout this team and the University as a whole. I cannot express how honored and fired up I am to contribute to what is already a top-tier, history-making program. Ultimately, it is a tremendous blessing not only for me, but also for my family, to now call Lafayette home. I'm all in and ready to grind. Geaux Cajuns!"
Prior to rejoining the Catamount staff, he spent three years as the defensive line coach and two as the co-defensive coordinator at Gardner-Webb (2017-19).
Thomas had a quick impact developing a strong group in the trenches and on
the recruiting trail. His work in recruiting spearheaded Gardner-Webb gaining significant ground with two highly-rated classes in 2018 and 2019.
In Thomas' first season at Gardner-Webb, nose guard Josh Ramseur emerged as a second-team All-Big South Conference performer. A rash of injuries forced Thomas to
develop a very young group in 2018 and he excelled in that role, molding defensive end John Singleton into the 2018 Big South Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year and
a HERO Sports Freshman All-America choice.
Before joining the Gardner-Webb coaching staff, Thomas helped develop Tusculum lineman Brandon Williams into an All-South Atlantic Conference performer in 2016. Williams led the SAC with 22.0 tackles for loss, which ranked among the NCAA Division II leaders as well. Williams finished with 78 tackles and four sacks, breaking the Tusculum school record for tackles for loss in a season.
Thomas served two seasons on the coaching staff at Western Carolina in his first stint in Cullowhee, joining the Catamounts before the 2013 season. Thomas coached WCU's defensive line with a concentration on the defensive tackles while also serving as WCU's pro scout liaison. The Catamounts finished with back-to-back seven-win seasons in 2014 and 2015.
In 2014, Thomas helped rookie standout Derrick Davis earn Southern Conference All-Freshman honors. The following season in 2015, defensive tackle Helva Matungulu
was invited to play in the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Collegiate Bowl, ultimately signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets.
Before WCU, Thomas spent four seasons on the University of South Carolina staff under head coach Steve Spurrier while pursuing a Master's of Science degree in Rehabilitation
Counseling.
Thomas worked with the Gamecock defense, along with assistant defensive line coach Brad Lawing, on the development of the defensive front under defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward. He additionally aided in the recruitment of players in South Carolina while assisting in opponent scouting.
While in Columbia, USC made four consecutive bowl game appearances with Thomas working with the program. He assisted with the development of NFL players Jadeveon
Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Cliff Matthews, Travian Robertson, Clifton Geathers, and Devin Taylor.
Thomas's career includes coaching at Greenwood (S.C.) High School working with the defensive line on the gridiron as well as with the wrestling and track & field teams for five years. He was a part of football region championships at GHS from 2004-2008. Under his guidance, the Eagles boasted the state of South Carolina's top-ranked defense in 2006 in winning the state championship, while finishing runner-up defensively in 2007 and 2008.
Thomas was a three-year letterman at South Carolina from 1997-2001, playing both offensive and defensive lines under Lou Holtz. He was a part of the Gamecocks'
2001 Outback Bowl championship team, defeating Ohio State University, 24-7.
A 2001 graduate from South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology and a minor in physical education, Thomas began his coaching career at Calhoun Falls
(S.C.) High School. He not only served as the defensive line coach, helping CFHS to the regional championship in 2002, but also as the strength and conditioning coach and an assistant with the Track & Field program.
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Re: Louisiana Welcomes Dennis Thomas as Defensive Line Coach
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