SCOTT THIESSEN
POSITION: SAFETIES COACH
EMAIL: scottthiessen@isu.edu
COLLEGE: Youngstown State (2004), Chapman University (2010)
PRIMARY RECRUITING AREAS: Eastern Idaho, Military Preps


AT A GLANCE:

• Playing experience at every position in the defensive secondary
• Earned academic All-American honors in both junior college and FCS football
• Experience as an educator, coach, and coordinator
• Previous head coaching experience at the military prep level

 

CAREER BACKGROUND:
 
Season              Team/School                                Position/Title
2004                  Modesto Junior College              Cornerbacks Coach
2006-11.            Chapman University                    Secondary Coach
2012-19             Air Force Academy Prep             Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/DB’s
2020-22.            Lamar University                         Outside Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator
2023                  Idaho State University                 Safeties Coach
2024                  Idaho State University                 Safeties
 


COACH THIESS:

Modesto, California native, Scott Thiessen originally started his playing career at Modesto Junio College before transferring to Youngstown State. An academic All-American twice over, he began his coaching career with Modesto before joining Chapman University where he coached both corners and safeties over the course of six seasons before embarking on an eight-year tenure in Colorado.

Located on the campus of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the Prep School is a post high school secondary education realm designed for potential cadets for the Air Force and United State Space Force. As AF Prep Head Coach, the main objective is retention and player development. Under Coach Thiessen’s tutelage he maintained a 67% retention rate, sending 70% of the roster to the Air Force Academy, an astounding success rate considering a new 55-man roster would arrive every season. Overseeing a staff of 8-12 coaches, a combination of both civilian and military personnel, during his time Coach Thiess coached Outside Linebackers (2012), Defensive Line (2013), and Defensive Backs (2014-2015) whilst also calling defensive plays and coordinating special teams.

In 2020, Thiess joined Lamar University in Beaumont, TX and had recruiting responsibilities in Northeast Dallas metro, Northeast Texas to Shreveport, LA and the Kansas Junior College system. His special team units lead the WAC in kickoffs, averaging 28.25 yard per return with 2 touchdowns, had a net punting average of 38.7 yards, and was top 20 in FCS in punt returns while adding a block punt. Under his guidance, the Outside Linebackers led the team in tackles for loss and sacks.

With Idaho State’s 3-3-5 defense, Coach Thiess has responsibility of the field, boundary, and deep middle safety affectionally referred to as the “stripes” for the Bengals. In between coaching stints, he utilized his Masters of Arts in Special Education to teach in elementary school and middle school. Scott Thiessen is married to his wife, Alayne, and they have two sons, Carter and Ryder.