"The Red Zone Show": Chalk talks w/ Coach Perry Thomas-D line play in 335!!!!

Coach Perry Thomas

HC Campbellsville University

Mini Bio:

Perry Thomas has completed three seasons as head coach of the Fighting Tiger football program.

Thomas inherited a program in 2008 that went 0-10 the previous year. After posting a 3-8 record his first season and finishing runner-up in the Mid-South Conference East Division in 2009 at 7-4, Thomas' program was named the No. 20 most improved program in all levels of college football and the No. 6 most improved in the NAIA. The Tigers finished 7-5 in 2011 and runner-up in the Mid-South Conference Wast Division. The Tigers also finished runner-up in the NCCAA Victory Bowl. This marked the programs 1st playoff appearance since 2001. The team won the NAIA Champions of Character Award for football.

As a first-year college head coach in 2008, Thomas coached the NAIA's leading rusher, Greg Fountain, who was his first NAIA All-American and later signed a pro contract in Europe.

Over the past two seasons, CU has had one NAIA All-American, six Mid-South Conference All-Conference selections, six All-Conference Honorable Mentions and 16 Academic All-Conference selections. The team had another 1st team All American this past season as defensive back Calvin Bini was named to the squad.

Before coming to Campbellsville, Thomas posted a successful, 16-year career as a high school coach in Kentucky, leading his team to the Kentucky State High School Football Playoffs each year he was a head coach. His 16-year record as a high school head coach is 133-64. His coaching career began in 1986 as a volunteer assistant at Allen County-Scottsville High School and he was an assistant coach for the Patriots in 1987. He then became defensive coordinator at Campbellsville High School from 1988-1991.

From 2000-2007, Thomas guided the Blue Tornado of Paducah Tilghman High School to a 70-31 record, including eight playoff appearances, five district championships, two regional championships and two state semi-final appearances. His 2007 team finished the season 9-5 and was eliminated in the state semi-finals 17-14 on a last second field goal by eventual Kentucky State Champion Louisville Central High School.

From 1992 through 1999 he was the head coach at Campbellsville High School where he compiled a 63-33 record. Thomas led the Eagle program to eight straight playoff appearances and had two district and one regional championship along with one state semi-final appearance.

Thomas has been named District and/or Region Coach of the Year nine times during his career and was named the 1993 and 1997 Kentucky Class A Coach of the Year by the Courier-Journal. He is a five-time coaching staff member of the Kentucky vs. Tennessee All-Star Team and was the Head Coach of the Kentucky All-Stars in 2006. Thomas was also a National Finalist for the American Football Coaches Association "Power of Influence" Award in 2005 and 2006 and received the Joe Russell Distinguished Leadership Award from the Western Kentucky Conference in 2003 and 2006.

We will cover d-line play for the 335 defense. See you all weds. night for a great show.