JAKE THOMAS
POSITION: RUNNING BACKS COACH
EMAIL: jacobthomas3@isu.edu
COLLEGE: Azusa Pacific (2014), Azusa Pacific (2017)
PRIMARY RECRUITING AREAS: Orange County, Seattle, Western Idaho
 

AT A GLANCE:

• Former offensive linemen playing under NFL Hall of Famer, Jackie Slater
• Served on a Hawaii staff that finished tied second in the WAC Western division and accepted a bowl bid
• Previous Big Sky Coaching experience at Cal Davis
• Helped Lenoir Rhyne to a 8-3 record 
• Selected to attend the 2015 NCAA Career in Sports Forum

 
CAREER BACKGROUND:
 
Season                      Team/School                                    Position/Title
2016-18                Azusa Pacific University               Tight Ends Coach
2018                     University of Hawaii                      Graduate Assistant Offensive Line
2019-20                Azusa Pacific University               Offensive Line/Camp Coordinator
2021                     University of Cal Davis                 Quality Control Offensive Line
2022                     Lenoir-Rhyne University               Offensive Line
2023                     Idaho State University                   Running Backs
 


COACH THOMAS:

As a player at Azusa Pacific, Coach Thomas made 39 appearances and started 28 games while facing injury setbacks after appearing in 8 contests as a true freshman. His position coach was an NFL Hall of Famer, Jackie Slater, and despite injury obstacles Jake Thomas immediately went into coaching following graduation starting off as a Tight Ends Coach at his alma mater.

An opportunity to learn the Run-N-Shoot offense came next at the University of Hawaii, where he assisted with the offensive line unit that lead the FBS in passing under Head Coach, Nick Rolovich. Coach Thomas was part of the staff that went to the Hawaii Bowl, the first winning Hawaii season since 2010.

Coach Thomas returned to Azusa Pacific in 2019 as offensive line coach working not only with the linemen but having input in the run game coordination and overseeing camps and clinics. After 55 years Azusa Pacific ended its football program and Coach Thomas moved on to California Davis.

With Cal Davis, the team finished ranked #13 in FCS football and three members of the offensive line went on to All-Big Sky Conference honors. The team averaged 33.2 points per game with 226.4 rushing yards per game. Coach Thomas headed East next to Hickory, North Carolina to perennial D2 playoff contender Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Despite an 8-3 record, LR narrowly missed out on a playoff bid and Coach Thomas would move onto Idaho State in 2023. With the Bengals, Thomas leads the running back room and is also the academics liaison for the football program. He is married to his wife, Katie, and the couple welcomed their first son, Weston, in November of 2023.