Donnie Thompson - Football Coach - East Carolina University Athletics

Donnie Thompson

Title:
Football Defensive Line/Assistant Head Coach

Donnie Thompson will begin year No. 3 of his second tenure at East Carolina after rejoining the Pirate staff Dec. 7, 2004 as assistant head coach and defensive line coach. In addition to re-establishing critical recruiting ties to eastern North Carolina to bolster ECU[apos]s building efforts, Thompson also played a key role in the resurgence of the Pirate defensive fortunes, especially up front. He spearheaded the development of freshman Marcus Hands, who earned All-Conference USA honors after tallying a team-best 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for lost yardage in just eight games before an injury cut short his season. He also was responsible for providing leadership to junior Shauntae Hunt (7.5) and freshman Brandon Setzer (6.5) who combined on 14 TFLs during the `05 campaign. While injuries dealt Thompson continuous blows to his front four in 2006, he simply reloaded with underclassmen - using a total of six freshmen and sophomores to start 33 of a possible 52 games at the tackle and two end positions. Two of the rookie ends, Scotty Robinson and sack-leader C.J. Wilson, earned selection to the C-USA All-Freshman squad, while junior Mark Robinson and sophomores Marcus Hands and Zach Slate were All-Conference USA selections on a unit that helped ECU post its top rush defense performance since 2001 and its best total defensive effort since 2000. Prior to his move back to Greenville, 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[apos]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). 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[apos]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 appointment in Chapel Hill, Thompson spent two seasons on Art Baker[apos]s staff at East Carolina in 1987 and 1988 working as the Pirates[apos] 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[apos]s degree in business administration 1974. He added a master[apos]s in psychology from Connecticut in 1975. He is married to the former Shirley E. Clayborne and the couple have four grown children.

**Coaching Experience**
Year	Position	University
2005-2007	Defensive Line Coach/Assistant Head Coach	East Carolina University; Greenville, N.C.
2001-2004	Defensive Line Coach	University of Illinois; Champaign, Ill.
1998-2000	Defensive Line Coach/Assistant Head Coach	University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill, N.C.
1989-1997	Defensive Line Coach/Special Teams Asst.	University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill, N.C.
1988	Defensive Line Coach/Special Teams Coord./Administrative Asst. to Head Coach	East Carolina University; Greenville, N.C.
1987	Defensive Line Coach	East Carolina University; Greenville, N.C.
1985-1986	Linebackers Coach	Western Kentucky University; Bowling Green, Ky.
1981-1984	Defensive Line Coach	University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, Pa.
1975-1980	Linebackers/Defensive Ends Coach	University of Connecticut; Storrs, Conn.

**Playing Experience**
Year	Position	Institution
1971-1974	Three-year letterwinner, defensive lineman	University of Connecticut; Storrs, Conn.
1966-1969	Four-year letterwinner, defensive lineman	Bogalusa, HS; Bogalusa, La.