TACOMA, Wash. - After a nationwide search that yielded more than 130 applicants, the University of Puget Sound has named Jeff Thomas as its next head football coach. The 2009 Division III AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year has served as the offensive coordinator for University of Redlands for the past three years before recently moving over to the defensive coordinator position.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be the next head football coach at the University of Puget Sound.  I will bring an enthusiastic, well-disciplined approach to the football program," said Thomas.  "I look forward to working hand in hand with our team as we develop the success on the field that our student-athletes already experience off of it."

Thomas has been a member of the Redlands coaching staff since 2003 where the team has been a conference title contender each year while winning the championship twice in that time.  He has worked both sides of the ball serving as coach of the defensive backs and wide receivers as well as serving as special teams coordinator.  As the offensive coordinator Thomas helped lead the Bulldogs to various school-record performances, including total offense in a single game with 677 yards on Nov. 3, 2007. 

"Puget Sound is very fortunate to have an individual who brings a dynamic level of enthusiasm and confidence to Logger Football," added Puget Sound director of athletics Amy Hackett.  "Coach Thomas has a clear competitive vision for our program and will enhance the overall educational experience for our student-athletes."

In addition to his on the field responsibilities, Thomas is the recruiting coordinator and the athletics department technology liaison. He has also been active in community outreach projects spearheading a blanket and food drive for the San Bernardino Mission, leading two team trips to New Orleans to help with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and coordinated a seven-day building effort for Habitat for Humanity. Most recently, he organized a project that entailed planting more than 4,000 trees in four days throughout the San Bernardino National Forest. 

A four-year letter-winner and senior captain at Redlands, Thomas began his career as a quarterback but then developed into one of the most decorated defensive backs in Redlands history.  He won numerous accolades as he helped the Bulldogs reach the NCAA playoffs in 2002.  His play earned him a spot on the US team in the 2002 Aztec Bowl, an annual game pitting Division III football all-stars from the United States against their Mexican counterparts.

Thomas graduated with a bachelor's degree in Government from Redlands and was named CoSIDA Academic All-District as a senior. In late 2005, Thomas completed his Master of Arts from the School of Education at the University of Redlands.

The Loggers athletic program fields 23 varsity teams-more than any other NCAA DIII school in the Northwest Conference-and is consistently ranked in the top 15 percent nationally among more than 400 NCAA Division III teams. The Loggers have captured 37 Northwest Conference Championships in the last decade, and earned the Northwest Conference McIlroy-Lewis All Sports Trophy in 2006 and 2007.