HONORS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT STONY BROOK
• Helped Stony Brook to back-to-back FCS Playoff appearances (2017, 2018).
• Coached Nick Ferrara to a first team All-CAA Football honor in 2013.
• Guided the Seawolves special teams unit that blocked six punts for touchdowns between the 2015 and 2018 seasons.
• Stony Brook also ranked fifth in the nation in kick return defense in 2017.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
• Special Teams Coordinator/Rovers: Stony Brook (2020-)
• Special Teams Coordinator: Stony Brook (2013-2019)
• Outside Linebackers: Stony Brook (2011-12)
• Defensive Line: Stony Brook (2009-10)
• Outside Linebackers: Stony Brook (2007-08)
• Linebackers: Hofstra (2006)
• Defensive Coordinator: Franklin & Marshall (2003-05)
• Special Teams & Video Coord./LB: Pennsylvania (2001-02)
• Defensive Line: Stony Brook (2000)
• Outside Linebackers: Stony Brook (1998-99)
• Graduate Assistant/LB: Stony Brook (1997)
EDUCATION
Bachelors in history, Stony Brook University, 1997; Master’s in Arts and Liberal Studies, Stony Brook University, 2000.
PLAYING CAREER
Played at Western Connecticut for one season in 1994 before transfering to Stony Brook where we finished his career as a linebacker from 1995 to 1997.
AT STONY BROOK
Thompson has been on staff at Stony Brook for 17 seasons, including the past seven seasons as the special teams coordinator. Prior to the 2020 season, Thompson added coaching the rover position to his duties.
During Thompson's time as the special team's coordinator, the Seawolves have blocked five punts for touchdowns that included two in 2017. His 2017 unit also ranked fifth in the nation in kickoff return defense.
Billy Barber, the Seawolves' long snapper from 2017-19 was named third team All-CAA Football in 2019 as well as receiving fourth team All-America honors from Phil Steele.
In 2013, Nick Ferrara earned first team All-CAA honors at punter and the Seawolves ranked first in the conference in kickoff coverage.
Thompson worked extensively with the team's outside linebackers prior to taking over the special teams. During his time with the OLB he helped Dan Mulrooney and Christian Ricard become the team's most sure tacklers.
Under the tutelage of Thompson, Grant Nakwaasah finished fourth on the team in tackles with 64 in 2011. He accounted for eight tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. He also accounted for an interception and a forced fumble.
Thompson served as the linebackers coach during his first two seasons with the Seawolves. Prior to that, Thompson spent two seasons with the defensive line. In 2009, including Chris Perri who earned All-Big South honors. The D-line accounted for over seven sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
In 2008 he helped guide a linebacking unit that accounted for over 300 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions. During his first year on the staff his work with the defense helped Stony Brook post one shutout and hold four other opponents to 20 points or less.
PRIOR TO STONY BROOK
Thompson came to Stony Brook in the spring of 2007 after one year at Hofstra. Before his season with the Pride he spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at Franklin and Marshall University. In 2005 Franklin & Marshall finished the year ranked 14th in pass efficiency defense. During his tenure there Thompson's defense helped F&M reach consecutive ECAC Bowl games.
Prior to F&M, Thompson served as outside linebackers coach, assistant special teams coordinator and video coordinator for two seasons at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2002 the Quakers captured the Ivy League championship and led the Ivy in scoring offense and defense, rushing, total and pass efficiency defense, sacks, fourth-down conversions and opponent first downs. In addition, the Penn defense set a new Ivy League record holding its conference opponents to 43.6 yards per game on the ground.
NOTABLE STUDENT-ATHLETES UNDER COACH THOMPSON
• P
Nick Ferrara (2013) – Earned first team All-CAA Football in 2013 with a 43.3 average. His average remains the Stony Brook career and single-season record.
• LB
Christian Ricard (2011-14) – Led Stony Brook in tackles in 2013 and 2014 on his way to being named first team All-CAA Football in 2014 and second team honors in 2013.
• LS
Billy Barber (2016-19) – Earned third team All-CAA Football in 2019 and was named fourth team All-American by Phil Steele.
PERSONAL
Thompson and his wife, Erin, reside in Sound Beach with their daughter, Laney and son Cade. Thompson, a three-sport athlete at Hauppauge High School (Football, Wrestling and Baseball) was inducted into the Hauppauge Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2018.
| Year |
Team |
Position |
| 1997 |
Stony Brook |
Grad. Asst. - Outside LBs |
| 1998 |
Stony Brook |
Outside Linebackers |
| 1999 |
Stony Brook |
Outside Linebackers |
| 2000 |
Stony Brook |
Defensive Line |
| 2001 |
Penn |
Outside LBs, Special Teams & Video Coordinator |
| 2002 |
Penn |
Outside LBs, Special Teams & Video Coordinator |
| 2003 |
Franklin & Marshall |
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers |
| 2004 |
Franklin & Marshall |
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary |
| 2005 |
Franklin & Marshall |
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary |
| 2006 |
Hofstra |
Linebackers |
| 2007 |
Stony Brook |
Outside Linebackers |
| 2008 |
Stony Brook |
Outside Linebackers |
| 2009 |
Stony Brook |
Defensive Line |
| 2010 |
Stony Brook |
Defensive Line |
| 2011 |
Stony Brook |
Outside Linebackers |
| 2012 |
Stony Brook |
Outside Linebackers |
| 2013 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2014 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2015 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2016 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2017 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2018 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2019 |
Stony Brook |
Special Teams Coordinator |
