Kenwick Thompson - Football Coach

Kenwick Thompson

Title:
Linebackers Coach/Defensive Running Game Coordinator
Email:
kenwickt@csufresno.edu
Phone:
559-278-3015

Last Updated: Aug. 15, 2018

Kenwick Thompson enters his first season at Fresno State and will serve as the Bulldogs’ linebackers coach.

Thompson previously spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator at East Carolina. He joined the Pirate staff after two seasons at Vanderbilt, where he served as an associate head coach and linebackers coach in 2015.

In 2015, he helped the Commodores to Top 25 FBS statistical rankings in fourth down defense (4th), first down defense (5th), redzone defense (6th), third down defense (7th), most fumbles recovered (20th) and scoring defense (23rd) by allowing only 21.0 points per game. His star pupil Zach Cunningham earned Associated Press First-Team All-SEC honors after ranking among league leaders in tackles for loss (16.5), solo tackles (69), overall stops (103), forced fumbles (4) and recovered fumbles (3).

Thompson was hired by Vanderbilt after spending the 2013 season as defensive coordinator at San Jose State. While coaching the Spartan linebackers, Thompson helped senior captain Keith Smith become just the second player in school history to earn All-MWC honors for four years after leading the nation in total tackles with 159. In addition to Smith, Thompson also tutored First-Team All-MWC defensive back Bene Benwikere at SJSU. Benwikere matched the Spartan career record with 14 interceptions, including five picks as a senior. He also ranked among NCAA leaders with 16 passes defended.
Thompson was first hired by Tedford in 2007 to be his linebackers coach. By the time 2012 rolled around, Thompson was promoted to associate head coach by Tedford in their sixth season together.

Prior to Thompson’s promotion, the 2011 Golden Bears’ team led the Pac-12 in total defense (332.92 ypg) and pass defense (204.23 ypg) and the linebacker corps accounted for 307 of the team’s 517 tackles, which was led by linebacker Mychal Kendricks, the Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-American that recently won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.

From 2007 to 2012, Thompson worked as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at California, playing a key role assisting the Golden Bears to four bowl appearances. In 2012, he was elevated to associate head coach status.

In 2011, Thompson’s linebacker corps helped the Golden Bears lead the Pac-12 in both total defense (332.9 yards) and pass defense (204.2 yards) during a 7-6 regular season that concluded with a Holiday Bowl appearance. Cal also topped the Pac-12 in total defense during the 2010 season.

In the recruiting world, Thompson helped guide Cal to three consecutive classes from 2010-12 ranked as high as No. 11, No. 13 and No. 15 nationally.

During his first tour of duty at San Jose State from 2001 until 2006, Thompson served in a variety of coaching roles under head coaches Fitz Hill and Dick Tomey. His positions included linebackers coach (2001-03), defensive line coach (2004), defensive tackles coach (2006), recruiting coordinator (2001-2004) and head strength and conditioning coach (2005).

From 1994 to 2000, Thompson was on the coaching staff at Texas Southern University, including the last five seasons as defensive coordinator. During the summer of 2000, he was a participant in the prestigious National Football League Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Oakland Raiders, working with the linebackers and defensive line.