Billy Napier added a pair of assistant strength and conditioning coaches on Wednesday in Karmichael Dunbar and Edward Thompson. Both of them will report to Director of Strength and Conditioning Mark Hocke.
Dunbar served as one of Hocke’s assistants at Louisiana over the past three years.
The Opelousas, Louisiana, native played on the defensive line for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2012-16. In 37 games, he made 65 tackles, including eight for losses and two sacks.
He worked as an intern at Alabama in 2017 and earned a national championship ring. He was a defensive graduate assistant at Tennessee in 2018 prior to returning to his alma mater.
Thompson also worked for Hocke in 2021, as he served as Louisiana’s head assistant strength coach and director of speed development.
He was Dunbar’s teammate from 2014-16 and played defensive back for the Ragin’ Cajuns.
He interned at his alma mater in 2017 and spent time with Houston, Georgia Tech, Austin Peay, LSU and the New York Giants before returning to Lafayette.
Dunbar and Thompson are both certified strength and conditioning specialists through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and are certified coaches by USA Weightlifting. Additionally, Thompson is certified as a speed specialist by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.