THE THIGPEN FILE

Personal Information

Education: North Carolina 1993
Family: Wife Jacinda; Children Asia and Naja

Coaching Experience

2016-pres.
Tennessee, defensive run game coordinator, linebackers
2013-15
Tennessee, linebackers
2012
Auburn, linebackers
2009-11
Auburn, safeties
2005-08
North Carolina, linebackers
2004
Illinois, linebackers
2003
Illinois, cornerbacks
2001-02
Bowling Green, cornerbacks, special teams
2000
Tennessee State, linebackers
1998-99
North Carolina, GA

Photo Gallery
Coached and played in nine bowl games in his career including Vols’ 2016 Music City Bowl. Promoted to defensive run game coordinator prior to 2016 season, his fourth season with the Vols.
Guided a 2016 Vols LB unit that was decimated by injuries with starters Jalen Reeves-Maybin (eight games) and Darrin Kirkland Jr. (five games) missing a total of 13 games. Colton Jumper led the unit and ranked fourth on the team with a career-high 61 tackles while fellow veterans Cortez McDowell (54 tackles) and Elliott Berry (34 tackles) also posted career bests.
Reeves-Maybin earned All-SEC honors in 2015 and Kirkland Jr. was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team
Was named the National Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com in 2013 after helping to sign the No. 5 recruiting class in the nation
Mentored All-SEC LB/DL Curt Maggitt, who had 11 sacks in 2014, the most by a Vol since John Henderson in 2000. Maggitt currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts.
In his first season with the Vols, helped LB A.J. Johnson earn AP and Coaches First Team All-SEC honors
Spent the 2009-12 seasons in the SEC at Auburn, winning the 2010 season BCS Championship
Worked as Tigers’ linebackers coach in 2012 after serving as safeties coach from 2009-11. Helped Auburn to ninth-best rushing defense in the NCAA in 2010 (109.1 yards per game)
Worked four seasons at his alma mater, North Carolina from 2005-08, serving as linebackers coach
Coached at Illinois for two seasons as linebackers coach in 2004 and cornerbacks coach in 2003
Spent 2001 and 2002 at Bowling Green as the Falcons’ cornerbacks and special teams coach
After an All-ACC career at UNC, was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 1993 draft. Also played for the Barcelona Dragons in the World League of American Football from 1995-96
Won four letters as a linebacker with UNC and served as team captain as a senior in 1992
Thigpen and his wife Jacinda have two children, Asia and Naja