Donnie Thompson Joins East Carolina Staff
December 07, 2004 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Donnie Thompson has been named assistant head coach and defensive line coach at East Carolina University according to an announcement from newly-appointed head football coach Skip Holtz Tuesday.
Prior to his appointment at ECU, Thompson served as a defensive line coach at Big 10 Conference member Illinois for four seasons, beginning in 2001. He helped lead the Fighting Illini to a 10-2 record and a Sugar Bowl appearance during his initial season in Champaign and served as the program's video coordinator all four years.
From 1989 to 2000, Thompson played a key role for a North Carolina program which advanced to seven bowl games as a defensive line coach under head coaches Mack Brown (1989-1997) and Carl Torbush (1998-2000).
"I'm excited that someone with Donnie's experience, character and integrity will be in a position to make an impact, not only to our program, but to the entire eastern North Carolina region," said Holtz. "His reputation as a recruiter and coach speak for itself, as do his values as a leader of young men. The fact that he chose to return to the East Carolina University family serves as a true testament to the outstanding support of the Greenville community and Pirate Nation."
After being elevated to assistant head coach prior the 1998 season under Torbush, he helped lead the Tar Heels to a No. 18 national and No. 2 Atlantic Coast Conference rank in total defense, and a 20-13 win over San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl. In addition, his defensive line tied an UNC record with 42 sacks
Thompson was also credited with the development or recruitment of first round National Football League draft choices Julius Peppers (DE, Carolina, 2nd overall pick), Ryan Simms (DL, Kansas City, 6th overall pick), Ebenezer Ekuban (DE, Dallas, 18th overall).
As a defensive line coach under Brown, Thompson also worked with UNC's special teams, served as video coordinator and was responsible for recruiting efforts in eastern North Carolina, Western Pennsylvania and South Florida.
He was part of a Tar Heel staff which led UNC to four bowl victories in six appearances (1993 Peach Bowl, 1995 Carquest Bowl, 1997 Gator Bowl and 1998 Gator Bowl). North Carolina also captured national statistical titles in turnover margin (1996) and scoring defense (1997). The '97 Tar Heels ranked as one of the strongest defensive units in school history, posting a program-record with 42 sacks while standing second nationally in rushing defense, third in total defense and fifth in turnover margin.
Before his move to Chapel Hill, Thompson spent two seasons on Art Baker's staff at East Carolina in 1987 and 1988 working as the Pirates' defensive coordinator and administrative assistant. While at ECU, he was also directly responsible for the defensive line while also working with the outside linebacking corps.
Thompson also spent time on the Western Kentucky (1985-86) staff as defensive coordinator and spent four years as defensive line coach at Pittsburgh, where he helped the Panthers to the 1983 Cotton Bowl and the 1984 Fiesta Bowl. The Bogalusa, La., native began his coaching career as a linebackers and ends coach at Connecticut from 1975 to 1981.
Thompson was a four-year letterman as a defensive standout at UConn before earning his bachelor's degree in business administration 1974. He added a master's in psychology from Connecticut in 1975.
