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Chris Thompson (coach)

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Coach Thompson after Albany's win over the Philadelphia Soul, May 19, 2018

Chris Thompson[edit]

Christopher Todd Thompson (born August 27, 1978) is an American football coach and the current Offensive Coordinator and Director of Football Operations for the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League.[1]. Thompson was part of an expansion team that finished its inaugural season in first place at 8-4 and the #1 seed in playoffs[2]. Prior to this, Thompson held a position as Head Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Offensive Coordinator for Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Professional Arena Football.[3]

Early life[edit]

Born in Manheim, Pennsylvania, Thompson attended Manheim Central High School.[4] Upon graduation in 1997, he attended Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania on a football scholarship. As a former 1st Team All-PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) Quarterback and captain of the Bloomsburg University football team, he helped the team to back-to-back PSAC[5] and Lambert Cup Championships[6] in 2000 and 2001 along with berths in the NCAA Division II Playoffs both years. In 2000, the Huskies played Delta State for the Division II National Championship game on ESPN but came up short to the Statesmen.[7] In 2001, the Huskies went back to the NCAA Division II playoffs and lost to Brian Kelly's, Grand Valley State, in the NCAA quarterfinals, but they finished up with a record of 22-4 in those 2 years. Thompson graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and in April 2017 he was inducted into the Manheim Central High School Hall of Fame[8]

College coach[edit]

Lebanon Valley College (NCAA Division III)[edit]

From 2004-2005, Thompson was the Assistant Football Coach and Quarterback Coach at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. There, he worked closely with Head Coach Jim Monos[4], the quarterback, and wide receivers to implement a new offense and rebuild the Division III football program that hadn’t had more than 4 wins in 10 years. [9]That season, the team won 4 games and quarterback Dan Kelly went on to become one of the all-time best quarterbacks to ever play at LVC.[10]

Alvernia University (NCAA Division III)[edit]

After spending time in the Arena Football League, Thompson returning to the collegiate football scene from July to December 2017, helping start the NCAA Division III football program at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. In addition to coaching quarterbacks and running backs, Thompson assisted with practices, daily and weekly position meetings, recruiting visits, and recruiting players.[11]

AFL tenure[edit]

Reading Express (IFL, AIL)[edit]

Thompson began his arena football coaching career in August of 2007 as the Head Football Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Offensive Coordinator for the Reading Express Professional Indoor/Arena Football team in Reading, Pennsylvania. Thompson’s responsibilities included developing corporate partnerships, group ticket sales, trades, coordinating offense, recruiting players, and day-to-day operations. During his tenure with the organization, the team won the 2009 AIF Bowl III Championship, two conference championships, and five division championships.[12]

Philadelphia Soul (AFL)[edit]

In 2011, Thompson spent a season as the Manager of Football Programs for the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football team, where he worked with the front office in the group sales department, acting as a liaison for youth sports fundraising programs and non-profit organizations. Thompson also assisted with camps and clinics for youth sports teams.[4]

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (NAL, AIF, PIFL, IFL)[edit]

Thompson’s career continued with a 6-year stint as the Head Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Offensive Coordinator of the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Professional Arena Football team in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania[13]. In addition to managing, recruiting, and coaching the team, Thompson oversaw corporate partnerships, group ticket sales, community outreach efforts and appearances, and sponsorship sales.

Under his coaching, the team made 6-straight playoff appearances in four different leagues (2012-2017) and 5-straight winning seasons. In 2014, he guided the team to the Professional Indoor Football League National Conference Championship.[14] In 2017, he was named the NAL (National Arena League) Coach of the Year[15] and was part of the front office that was awarded NAL Franchise of the Year[16]. The same year, he coached the NAL MVP, Most Improved Player of the Year, and the #1 Total Offense in the NAL/PIFL[17], which averaged more than 55 points per game and scored 60 or more points in 6 games. The offense of the 2017 season set a franchise record 96 points during a game, breaking the previous record of 86 points that stood for 5 years prior. [18]From 2013-2017, Thompson coached 16 players to 1st or 2nd Team All-League honors and had 25+ players earn Player of the Week honors in their respective leagues. During his time with the Steelhawks, he recruited and coached more than 35 players that had opportunities to move up to AFL, CFL, or NFL teams.

Albany Empire (AFL)[edit]

Thompson left the Steelhawks in December of 2017 to become the Offensive Coordinator and Director of Football Operations for Albany Empire’s inaugural season in the AFL. [1]Thompson was responsible for evaluating and recruiting players, coaching and holding position meetings with quarterbacks and wide receivers, and contributing to offensive game plans. Thompson also directed day-to-day operations with team housing, practice facilities, travel accommodations, food partners, etc. All the team’s home games were played at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, where the franchise led the league average in attendance of more than 10,000 fans per game.[19] During its inaugural season, the team finished in first place at 8-4, was the #1 seed in playoffs, and had the top-rated passer and two top-rated wide receivers. Thompson coached the 2018 AFL MVP, 2018 Offensive Player of the Year, and 2018 Rookie of the Year. The team had a league-high 11 players make 1st or 2nd Team All-AFL, with 5 offensive players making 1st team.

National Bowl Games[edit]

Every December since 2012, Thompson has been selected as the Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for one of the National Bowl and FCS National Bowl teams in Florida.[20] Thompson has recruited and coached players for these games including: quarterback Bryan Randall, wide receiver Tyrone Collins, Tom Gilson, Troy Pascley, Toriel Gibson, Collin Taylor, Dwayne Hollis, Joe Powell, Larry Ford, Brian Brikowski, Travis Miller, and Mike Simons. Thompson is currently on a 3-game winning streak, despite having coached against 16-year NFL veteran Mike Stock of the Green Bay Packers each year.[21]

Personal Life[edit]

Thompson currently lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania with his wife LeeAnn and their three children: daughter Haley and sons Kellen and Julian.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Albany AFL Names Chris Thompson Director of Football Operations". Arena Football League. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  2. "Empire Defeat Soul to Clinch #1 Seed in AFL Playoffs". Arena Football League. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  3. "Chris Thompson named coach of the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks". lehighvalleylive.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Former Manheim Central QB Chris Thompson moving up coaching, GM ranks fast in arena league". PennLive.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  5. "Year-by-Year PSAC Champions" (PDF).
  6. "Football Championship Subdivision Lambert Cup - Varsity Pride". jonfmorse.com. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  7. "Delta State Rushes to Division II Title". Los Angeles Times. 2000-12-10. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  8. "Manheim Central Hall of Fame will induct six - Lititz Record Express". Lititz Record Express. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  9. "2004-05 Football Schedule - The Official Athletic Website of Lebanon Valley College". godutchmen.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  10. "Football Record Book - Individual Season". godutchmen.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  11. "College football: Alvernia conducts initial practice". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  12. "Thompson takes step up as Express' head coach". Reading Eagle. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  13. Groller, Keith. "Chris Thompson resigns as Lehigh Valley Steelhawks head coach". themorningcall.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  14. "2014 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks season", Wikipedia, 2017-07-15, retrieved 2018-08-27
  15. reports, Call staff. "Three Steelhawks honored by National Arena League". themorningcall.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  16. "LEHIGH VALLEY NAMED NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks". Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  17. reports, Call staff. "Three Steelhawks honored by National Arena League". themorningcall.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  18. "August 2017 - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks" (PDF).
  19. "Albany Empire leads league in attendance, surges past projections". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  20. "Arena Coach Chris Thompson & Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Coaching Staff will Coach the "Blue Nation" in National Bowl Game". National Bowl Game (Info Site). 2012-11-17. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  21. "Benedict's Kirkland, Ntiasagwe Selected For FCS All-Star Bowl". Retrieved 2018-08-27.


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