Arizona State names longtime NFL assistant Glenn Thomas as new QB coach, offensive coordinator
Just as quickly as the offensive coordinator position came open, Arizona State has filled it.
The Sun Devils announced on Monday that head coach Herm Edwards has hired veteran assistant Glenn Thomas to serve as the program’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He’ll replace Zak Hill, who resigned last week after three seasons with the program.
Shot caller 😈
Glenn Thomas has been named our new Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach!
Welcome to Tempe, Coach Thomas 🔱🏜 pic.twitter.com/Zxqvxg91sy
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) January 31, 2022
Among Thomas’ most notable stops, he coached Matt Ryan for three of the quarterback’s most productive NFL seasons as the QB coach for the Atlanta Falcons and has called plays for Baylor, UNLV, and Temple.
“Glenn Thomas has spent the past 20 years working specifically with quarterbacks and coordinating offenses both in the NFL and in college football,” Edwards said in a release. “He is known around football circles for his expertise in quarterback play, with quarterback mechanics and getting them to play at their optimum level. His work with Matt Ryan in Atlanta speaks for itself as Matt enjoyed the best years of his career under Glenn. Also, he’s worked with young quarterbacks in college and has made them highly successful. I am pleased to welcome Glenn to Tempe and excited to have him coordinate our offense.”
Thomas, 44, spent the last two seasons as the QB coach and OC for the UNLV Rebels. During the 2021 campaign, UNLV rotated a pair of true freshmen quarterbacks in the starting lineup. Cameron Friel, who started in eight games, was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year after throwing for 1,608 yards, six touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 62.4% of his passes.
Friel’s completion rate broke the school record for a freshman and ranked third in program history for any quarterback.
Prior to his stint in Las Vegas, Thomas spent three seasons as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Baylor. While in Waco (2017-19), Thomas oversaw the development of Charlie Brewer into one of the most prolific quarterbacks in program history, totaling 69 touchdown passes in three years. Brewer threw for 3,161 yards and 21 touchdowns along with rushing for 344 yards and 11 scores in 2019. In Thomas’ first season on campus, Brewer was named Big 12 Co-Freshman Offensive Player of the Year.
He moved to Baylor with head coach Matt Rhule from Temple, where Thomas spent two seasons. He was with the Atlanta Falcons for seven seasons, the last three spent as the quarterback coach (2012-14). In 2012, Ryan set franchise single-season records for passing yards (4,719), passing touchdowns (32), and completion percentage (68.6).
“I am beyond fired up and humbled to be a part of a top-tier program at a top-tier university,” says Thomas. “A great foundation has been laid at ASU and I am proud to be able to help build upon that. I’m appreciative of Coach Edwards, Coach Brian Billick, and (Athletic Director) Ray Anderson for this opportunity and to work side-by-side with them. I can’t wait to get into the QB room and go to work with the Sun Devil offense.”