Clarion Athletics

James Thomas, Jr. enters his third season as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.  He joined the Golden Eagle coaching staff on Feb. 17, 2016.

The 2017 Golden Eagle defense ranked second in the PSAC West in total defense at the end of the regular season, allowing an average of just 368.5 yards per game.  They finished the year ranked third in the West in total defense.  The Golden Eagles ranked sixth in the conference in interceptions per game, recording 13 in 11 games, and were third in the PSAC West in total passing defense.  Three of Clarion's four All-PSAC West selections in 2018 were on the defense, including linebacker Layne Skundrich and defensive linemen Alec Heldreth and Brandon Vocco.  Both Heldreth and Vocco were named Podyum Preseason Division II All-Americans before the start of the 2018 season.
 
In 2016 the Golden Eagles used a bevy of underclassmen at key spots in the defense, and the youngsters delivered under Thomas.  Freshmen such as Kevin Allen, Tyrone Cromwell, Sam Fareri and Quinlin Lambert all started five games or more on defense, with Cromwell leading the team with three interceptions. Layne Skundrich had a breakout year, leading the team with 85 total tackles, and Jacob Craig totaled 72 stops and earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.
 
Thomas coached at Western New Mexico for five years, starting as a graduate assistant wide receivers coach and eventually serving as the team's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the last two years.  As DC for the Mustangs, Thomas coached six all-conference players in two years, including Third Team All-Super Region player Darius Guillory in 2014 and Second Team All-Region player Alfonso Wilson in 2015.  With his recruiting inroads in Southern California, Florida, Arizona and Texas, he unearthed the 2014 Rocky Mountain Athletics Conference Freshman of the Year, Marques Rodgers.
 
Before taking over as defensive coordinator, Thomas was the defensive backs coach, special teams coordinator, video coordinator and assistant strength & conditioning coach for the Mustangs from 2011-13.  Bolstered by Second Team All-RMAC punt returner Donald Byrd, a player originally recruited by Thomas, the Mustangs led the conference in put return average in 2013.  Thomas recruited and coached two-time all-conference defensive back Bernard Williams in 2011-12 and maintained defensive practice plans. 
 
Prior to his time at Western New Mexico, Thomas worked at Graceland University in Iowa where he coached defensive backs as a graduate assistant during the 2009 season. Thomas spent four years prior to the 2009 season as an undergraduate student-athlete.   Over his five years at Graceland, Thomas gained a reputation as being a stellar athlete. Thomas was a four-year starting cornerback and was a three-year all-conference performer. In the football offseason, Thomas excelled on the track, becoming an indoor track All-American in the 60-meter dash and set the Graceland University record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.52.

Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education and Health and an endorsement in Coaching from Graceland in 2009. He completed his master's degree in Educational Leadership while working as an assistant at WNMU in 2012.