Thomas Added as Director of HS Relations
4/7/2023 11:00:00 AM | Football
Dennis Thomas has joined Head Coach Dino Babers' recruiting staff as the Director of High School Relations.
A veteran high school coach, Thomas spent the 2022 season as an offensive assistant at Rutgers – his alma mater.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Dennis to Syracuse," Babers said. "He has a wealth of experience at the high school level and is an excellent addition to our staff."
Before his stint On the Banks, Thomas spent seven successful seasons as the head coach at Millville (New Jersey) High School, posting a 52-24 record. His teams made the playoffs in all-six years that the state playoffs were held in that time, with five semifinal appearances. The Thunderbolts went 12-1 in 2021, winning the South Jersey Group IV and South/Central Regional Championships. That 2021 team was led by current Orange standout LeQuint Allen, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey that season.
Thomas previously served as head coach for two seasons at his high school alma mater, Salem High School. Coming off a winless season before taking over, the Rams went 5-6 with an appearance in the South Jersey Group I semifinal in 2013 before improving to 8-4 and to the championship game the next season. Thomas also took part in coaching the USA Football U19 team as part of the IFAF World Championship in Kuwait in 2014.
As a player, Thomas cracked the top-10 in Rutgers history with 3,245 career all-purpose yards, including 1,557 rushing yards, a category which he led the team in both 2000 and 2001. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs following a successful collegiate career.
Thomas and his wife, Shonta, have three children: Dennis, Xavier and Marshall.
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A veteran high school coach, Thomas spent the 2022 season as an offensive assistant at Rutgers – his alma mater.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Dennis to Syracuse," Babers said. "He has a wealth of experience at the high school level and is an excellent addition to our staff."
Before his stint On the Banks, Thomas spent seven successful seasons as the head coach at Millville (New Jersey) High School, posting a 52-24 record. His teams made the playoffs in all-six years that the state playoffs were held in that time, with five semifinal appearances. The Thunderbolts went 12-1 in 2021, winning the South Jersey Group IV and South/Central Regional Championships. That 2021 team was led by current Orange standout LeQuint Allen, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey that season.
Thomas previously served as head coach for two seasons at his high school alma mater, Salem High School. Coming off a winless season before taking over, the Rams went 5-6 with an appearance in the South Jersey Group I semifinal in 2013 before improving to 8-4 and to the championship game the next season. Thomas also took part in coaching the USA Football U19 team as part of the IFAF World Championship in Kuwait in 2014.
As a player, Thomas cracked the top-10 in Rutgers history with 3,245 career all-purpose yards, including 1,557 rushing yards, a category which he led the team in both 2000 and 2001. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs following a successful collegiate career.
Thomas and his wife, Shonta, have three children: Dennis, Xavier and Marshall.
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