Track & Field
Thomas, James
James Thomas
- Title:
- Assistant Coach - Jumps, Multis
- Email:
- jamest@sports.uga.edu
- Phone:
- 706-542-8006
James Thomas was named an assistant coach for jumps and combined events by Bulldog Director of Track and Field Caryl Smith Gilbert in June 2021.
Thomas, a native of Katy, Texas, graduated from Sam Houston State University and then earned his Master’s of Science in Health and Human Performance (Athletic Administration) at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He came to the University of Georgia after spending nine seasons in a similar role at Texas Tech. Thomas was a 10-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mountain Region Assistant of the Year while with the Red Raiders.
Most recently, he led junior Ruth Usoro to sweep the 2021 NCAA indoor and outdoor triple jump championships and also score in both long jumps nationally while also having another pair of scoring 2021 All-Americans in the jumps.
Thomas joined Texas Tech in 2012 and redefined success as the head of the men’s and women’s jumps and combined events groups. A veteran coach of nearly 20 years, Thomas was the catalyst to some of the most significant student-athlete development and achievements Texas Tech and the NCAA have ever seen. Thomas’ athletes amassed eight NCAA individual titles, 91 NCAA All-American honors, 29 Big 12 champions and nearly every top-10 performance in Red Raider history.
Thomas’ culminating moment was in 2019 when he helped lead the Texas Tech men’s program to their first ever NCAA outdoor team championship in Austin, Texas. This was a year that was built on a fourth straight Big 12 Championship, 11 NCAA All-Americans and four Big-12 champions. While the men were hoisting the team title, Zarriea Willis staked her claim in NCAA history by completing an indoor/outdoor sweep of the women’s high jump.
The success goes well beyond 2019. In total, Thomas has been instrumental in five Big 12 Team Championships, eight NCAA Top-10 team finishes and four NCAA Top-5 team finishes. Many of his student-athletes have earned the opportunity to travel the world while representing Texas Tech, their country and professional brands at multiple international championships. Thomas’ influence has also extended beyond the athlete as a current Masters Endorsement Instructor with USTFCCCA, and a prominent clinician throughout various parts of the world.
James is married to Ebony Thomas, and they have two sons, Jordan and Jameson Thomas.
Thomas, a native of Katy, Texas, graduated from Sam Houston State University and then earned his Master’s of Science in Health and Human Performance (Athletic Administration) at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He came to the University of Georgia after spending nine seasons in a similar role at Texas Tech. Thomas was a 10-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mountain Region Assistant of the Year while with the Red Raiders.
Most recently, he led junior Ruth Usoro to sweep the 2021 NCAA indoor and outdoor triple jump championships and also score in both long jumps nationally while also having another pair of scoring 2021 All-Americans in the jumps.
Thomas joined Texas Tech in 2012 and redefined success as the head of the men’s and women’s jumps and combined events groups. A veteran coach of nearly 20 years, Thomas was the catalyst to some of the most significant student-athlete development and achievements Texas Tech and the NCAA have ever seen. Thomas’ athletes amassed eight NCAA individual titles, 91 NCAA All-American honors, 29 Big 12 champions and nearly every top-10 performance in Red Raider history.
Thomas’ culminating moment was in 2019 when he helped lead the Texas Tech men’s program to their first ever NCAA outdoor team championship in Austin, Texas. This was a year that was built on a fourth straight Big 12 Championship, 11 NCAA All-Americans and four Big-12 champions. While the men were hoisting the team title, Zarriea Willis staked her claim in NCAA history by completing an indoor/outdoor sweep of the women’s high jump.
The success goes well beyond 2019. In total, Thomas has been instrumental in five Big 12 Team Championships, eight NCAA Top-10 team finishes and four NCAA Top-5 team finishes. Many of his student-athletes have earned the opportunity to travel the world while representing Texas Tech, their country and professional brands at multiple international championships. Thomas’ influence has also extended beyond the athlete as a current Masters Endorsement Instructor with USTFCCCA, and a prominent clinician throughout various parts of the world.
James is married to Ebony Thomas, and they have two sons, Jordan and Jameson Thomas.
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