Billy Napier has hired James Thomas Jr. as a quality control coach. In this role, Thomas will work with the cornerbacks.
He worked for Maryland last season as a special teams quality control analyst.
Prior to that, he served as the co-defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Angelo State from 2019-20. The Rams ranked third in Division 2 in scoring defense, fifth in pass efficiency defense and 10th in interceptions during one of those seasons.
He was also the defensive coordinator at Clarion University from 2016-18. In his final year, the Golden Eagles ranked sixth in Division 2 in interceptions, eighth in takeaways and 14th in red zone defense.
The Orlando native started his career at Western New Mexico from 2010-15. He coached the wide receivers his first two years before being switched to defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator in 2012 and 2013. He served as the defensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015.
Thomas played cornerback at Graceland University from 2004-08 and earned his degree in physical education and health in 2009. He later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western New Mexico.