Boston College Athletics
NFL Assistant Jordan Thomas Hired as BC Defensive Line Coach
February 11, 2025 | Football
O’Brien brings in former Browns staffer to complete 2025 staff.
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College head football coach Bill O'Brien announced the hiring of Jordan Thomas as the Eagles' new defensive line coach on Tuesday.
"We interviewed a bunch of people for this d-line job and Jordan Thomas was the best," said O'Brien on the latest episode of The Bill O'Brien Podcast. "A very detailed, young guy. He comes to us from the Cleveland Browns and he'll do a great job with this d-line. We are excited to add Jordan Thomas to the staff."
Thomas spent the last three seasons in the NFL as the assistant defensive line coach with the Cleveland Browns. In 2024, he worked directly with current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who served as a coaching and personnel consultant in Cleveland last year. Thomas also worked directly with 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who earned All-Pro in 2023 and 2024, during his Browns tenure.
The 2023 Browns led the NFL in several categories including total defense (270.2 yards per game), passing defense (164.7), third down percentage (29.1%) and first downs allowed (253).
Most recently, Thomas coached the defensive line at the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl. Thomas previously coached in the college game at his alma mater San Diego State. A three-year starter and four-year letterwinner from 2010-13, he returned as a graduate assistant in 2018. After two seasons, Thomas was promoted to defensive line coach; a role he held for two seasons until moving on to the NFL.
Thomas helped three defensive linemen earn All-Mountain West during his time as a coach at SDSU. The Aztecs' 2020 defense ranked third in the country in total defense (283.5) and seven in rushing defense (98.2). Thomas' unit also ranked eighth in the country in tackles for loss (8.1 per game).
At SDSU, Thomas oversaw the development of two-time All-MW First Team selection Cameron Thomas, who was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
During his graduate assistant stint, Thomas initially worked with the linebackers in 2018 before shifting to his former position as a player with the defensive linemen. In 2019, he worked with defensive line coach Brady Hoke ib a SDSU defense that ranked second in the country in scoring (12.7), second in rushing (75.4) and fifth in total defense (287.8).
Following his collegiate playing career, Thomas spent one season as an assistant coach at Mission Hills High School (Calif.) in 2016. HE then moved to Texas A&M-Kingsville as a graduate assistant, where he worked with linebackers, in 2017.
Originally from Redlands, Calif., Thomas attended Redlands High School. He played at San Diego State from 2010-13 and earned his degree in criminal justice, graduating in 2014.
Boston College hosts seven games, including three against CFP participants, at Alumni Stadium this fall. Season tickets for year-two of the O'Brien era are on sale now at BCEagles.com or by calling the athletic ticket office at 617-552-GoBC.
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"We interviewed a bunch of people for this d-line job and Jordan Thomas was the best," said O'Brien on the latest episode of The Bill O'Brien Podcast. "A very detailed, young guy. He comes to us from the Cleveland Browns and he'll do a great job with this d-line. We are excited to add Jordan Thomas to the staff."
Thomas spent the last three seasons in the NFL as the assistant defensive line coach with the Cleveland Browns. In 2024, he worked directly with current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who served as a coaching and personnel consultant in Cleveland last year. Thomas also worked directly with 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who earned All-Pro in 2023 and 2024, during his Browns tenure.
The 2023 Browns led the NFL in several categories including total defense (270.2 yards per game), passing defense (164.7), third down percentage (29.1%) and first downs allowed (253).
Most recently, Thomas coached the defensive line at the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl. Thomas previously coached in the college game at his alma mater San Diego State. A three-year starter and four-year letterwinner from 2010-13, he returned as a graduate assistant in 2018. After two seasons, Thomas was promoted to defensive line coach; a role he held for two seasons until moving on to the NFL.
Thomas helped three defensive linemen earn All-Mountain West during his time as a coach at SDSU. The Aztecs' 2020 defense ranked third in the country in total defense (283.5) and seven in rushing defense (98.2). Thomas' unit also ranked eighth in the country in tackles for loss (8.1 per game).
At SDSU, Thomas oversaw the development of two-time All-MW First Team selection Cameron Thomas, who was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
During his graduate assistant stint, Thomas initially worked with the linebackers in 2018 before shifting to his former position as a player with the defensive linemen. In 2019, he worked with defensive line coach Brady Hoke ib a SDSU defense that ranked second in the country in scoring (12.7), second in rushing (75.4) and fifth in total defense (287.8).
Following his collegiate playing career, Thomas spent one season as an assistant coach at Mission Hills High School (Calif.) in 2016. HE then moved to Texas A&M-Kingsville as a graduate assistant, where he worked with linebackers, in 2017.
Originally from Redlands, Calif., Thomas attended Redlands High School. He played at San Diego State from 2010-13 and earned his degree in criminal justice, graduating in 2014.
Boston College hosts seven games, including three against CFP participants, at Alumni Stadium this fall. Season tickets for year-two of the O'Brien era are on sale now at BCEagles.com or by calling the athletic ticket office at 617-552-GoBC.
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