Thomas named UAPB head football coach
SWAC Sports
PINE BLUFF – Cedric Thomas has been named the 20th head coach of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions football team after being involved in the sport for over 15 years. Returning home to the institution that gave him the opportunity to play collegiate football, Coach Thomas brings championship experience to UAPB. Thomas graduated from UAPB in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science and played football as a defensive back with the Golden Lions.
Coach Thomas has held a variety of positions which eventually led to becoming a head coach. He has been a recruiting coordinator, a graduate assistant, a running back coach, a special teams coordinator, a defensive back coach, and a defensive coordinator.
“My first plan of action is to get a coaching staff together,” Thomas said. “I’m in the process right now of making both a short and long list of coaches and just reaching out to those guys and getting that established. I will also get in the recruiting battles right away.”
Listed below are some of his top accomplishments while on staff at Alcorn State University:
- 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division Champions
- 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions
- 2014 Black College Football National Champions
- 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division Champions
- 2015 Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions
- 2015 Participated in Celebration Bowl
- 2016 Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division Champions (defense ranked top-10 in FCS in total sacks)
- 2017 Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division Champions (defense ranked top-10 in FCS in both red zone and scoring defense)
When asked what it means to come back to UAPB, Thomas answered confidently. “It absolutely means everything. This place saved my life and I feel obligated to give back.” UAPB will host its annual Black and Gold Spring Football Game in 2018 at Golden Lion Stadium.