University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football
Cedric Thomas
- Title:
- Defensive Backs
- Email:
- cedric.d.thomas@usm.edu
- Phone:
- 266-5393
Cedric Thomas joined the Golden Eagle staff in February after serving as head coach for the last two seasons at his alma mater, Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
He led his team to a 6-5 record in 2019, improving the program’s win total by four from his first year.
During his final year at the helm of the UAPB program, the Golden Lions had five first-team all-SWAC selections and seven total picks. The first-team players included running back Taeylor Porter, who enjoyed his second-straight 1,000-yard rushing season, offensive linemen Mark Evans II and Atondre Smith, defensive lineman Jalen Steward and return specialist Tyrin Ralph. The Golden Lions also produced second-teamers Harry Ballard III (wide receiver) and Shawn Steele (defensive back).
In his first season, UAPB produced seven players who earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors, including four first-team selections. Porter led the conference with 1,220 yards. SWAC Freshman of the Year in WR DeJuan Miller tied for the conference lead in receptions (56), was third in receiving yards (801), and was tied for second in receiving touchdowns (six). K/P Jamie Gillan earned first team honors at both positions, was second in the conference in punting average (42.5), and led the SWAC with 20 field goals made. DL Jalen Steward was second on the team in tackles and first in sacks with seven.
UAPB went 2-9 in Thomas’ first season at the helm, with the Lions losing four games by a touchdown or less, including a pair of overtime defeats.
Thomas returned home after spending six seasons at Alcorn State, initially coaching defensive backs (2012-15), before spending the last two seasons as defensive coordinator (2016-17). The Braves won four straight SWAC Eastern Division titles, including back-to-back SWAC titles in 2014 and 2015 and played in the inaugural Celebration Bowl.
The former Golden Lion cornerback began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Alcorn (2001) before becoming running backs coach at Tennessee-Martin for one season (2002).
Thomas had two stints at Mississippi Delta Community College as defensive coordinator (2003-04; 2007-11), sandwiched around coaching defensive backs at Itawamba Community College (2005-06).
After beginning his collegiate playing career at Mississippi Delta Community College, Thomas was a two-year letterman and started his senior for the Golden Lions. He graduated from UAPB in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and earned his Master’s degree in administration from Alcorn in 2015.
The Cleveland, Miss. native is married to Kelunda, and the couple has one daughter, Loegan. Thomas also has a son, Cedric Jr.
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He led his team to a 6-5 record in 2019, improving the program’s win total by four from his first year.
During his final year at the helm of the UAPB program, the Golden Lions had five first-team all-SWAC selections and seven total picks. The first-team players included running back Taeylor Porter, who enjoyed his second-straight 1,000-yard rushing season, offensive linemen Mark Evans II and Atondre Smith, defensive lineman Jalen Steward and return specialist Tyrin Ralph. The Golden Lions also produced second-teamers Harry Ballard III (wide receiver) and Shawn Steele (defensive back).
In his first season, UAPB produced seven players who earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors, including four first-team selections. Porter led the conference with 1,220 yards. SWAC Freshman of the Year in WR DeJuan Miller tied for the conference lead in receptions (56), was third in receiving yards (801), and was tied for second in receiving touchdowns (six). K/P Jamie Gillan earned first team honors at both positions, was second in the conference in punting average (42.5), and led the SWAC with 20 field goals made. DL Jalen Steward was second on the team in tackles and first in sacks with seven.
UAPB went 2-9 in Thomas’ first season at the helm, with the Lions losing four games by a touchdown or less, including a pair of overtime defeats.
Thomas returned home after spending six seasons at Alcorn State, initially coaching defensive backs (2012-15), before spending the last two seasons as defensive coordinator (2016-17). The Braves won four straight SWAC Eastern Division titles, including back-to-back SWAC titles in 2014 and 2015 and played in the inaugural Celebration Bowl.
The former Golden Lion cornerback began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Alcorn (2001) before becoming running backs coach at Tennessee-Martin for one season (2002).
Thomas had two stints at Mississippi Delta Community College as defensive coordinator (2003-04; 2007-11), sandwiched around coaching defensive backs at Itawamba Community College (2005-06).
After beginning his collegiate playing career at Mississippi Delta Community College, Thomas was a two-year letterman and started his senior for the Golden Lions. He graduated from UAPB in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and earned his Master’s degree in administration from Alcorn in 2015.
The Cleveland, Miss. native is married to Kelunda, and the couple has one daughter, Loegan. Thomas also has a son, Cedric Jr.
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