Florida Gators add James Thomas Jr. to football staff
The Florida Gators football staff continues to grow with the announcement of James Thomas Jr. on Monday.
Thomas, who spent the last two seasons at Maryland, will serve as a quality control coach working with cornerbacks. In that role, he will assist Corey Raymond, who was hired as the Gators’ cornerbacks coach.
Prior to Maryland, he served two seasons (2019-20) as co-defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and defensive backs coach at Angelo State University. There the Rams defense was one of the top-performing units among Division II schools. They ranked third nationally in scoring defense (14.8 PPG), fifth in defensive pass efficiency (93.17), and 10th in interceptions (17).
Thomas Jr. also spent three seasons at Clarion University (2016-18), where he served as the Golden Eagles defensive coordinator. A native of Orlando, Fla., Thomas Jr. started his career at Western New Mexico in 2010. There he coached the receivers his first two seasons (2010-11). He also served as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach (2012-13), and defensive coordinator (2014-15).
Thomas Jr. Joins Gators Army
Thomas Jr. is the 46th hire by Napier and the 29th off-the-field staffer.
Sean Spencer (co-defensive coordinator/defensive line), Patrick Toney (co-defensive coordinator/safeties), Corey Raymond (cornerbacks), Mike Peterson (outside linebackers), and Jay Bateman (inside linebackers) are the defensive coaches on staff.
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Rob Sale (offensive coordinator/offensive line), Jabbar Juluke (running backs), Darnell Stapleton (offensive line), Keary Colbert (receivers), and William Peagler (tight ends) round out the coaching staff.
A pair of analysts who will assist the on-field coaches are Ryan O’Hara (quarterbacks – Napier) and Jamar Chaney (linebackers – Peterson).
Additionally, Napier has tapped Mark Hocke to run the strength and conditioning program. Hocke will be joined by Joe Danos, Karmichael Dunbar, Tiger Jones, Edward Thompson, and Alex Watkins.
“We’re going to hire an army of people here. We’re going to create an infrastructure not only in the personnel department but also from on-campus recruiting, creative media, name, image, and likeness. We’ve got a great vision for the organization that we’re going to create here,” Napier said during his introductory press conference.
![A touchdown is celebrated with fireworks in the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. [Cyndi Chambers/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/08/27214921/Untitled-design-4-4.png)
![Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) hauls in a pass while taking balls from a throwing machine during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/01212103/Untitled-design-80.png)
