Campbell University

DeAndre Thompson completed his second season at Campbell in 2020, coaching cornerbacks.

In his second season at CU, despite playing all FBS opponents in an abbreviated 2020 slate, the Camels owned the No. 2 pass defense among FCS programs.

Thompson joined the Campbell football staff as assistant defensive backs coach in January 2019, helping guide the Camels to the Big South’s top pass defense for the second straight season, allowing just 182.7 yards per game, also yielding the league’s second-ranked red zone defense (82.9) in 2019.
 
Three Camel defensive backs picked up postseason all-conference honors, highlighted by Darion Slade being named First Team All-Big South, tallying 9.5 stops per game in conference play, tops among league defensive backs. Two more Campbell DBs were also named to Phil Steele’s Big South all-conference team, with cornerback Kam Prewitt tabbed to the second team, while Dorian Jones was named third team all-conference.
 
Thompson came to Campbell after three seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, Texas A&M.
 
Thompson’s main recruiting area will be Tennessee and Birmingham, Ala., as well as the 252 area code of North Carolina.
 
With the Aggies, Thompson coached under Kevin Sumlin in 2016 and 2017, as well as Jimbo Fisher in 2018. A&M won at least seven games each year with Thompson’s aid, posting nine victories in 2018, including a 52-13 win over North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl to cap off the season.
 
He has also coached top talents Justin Evans, Armani Watts and Donovan Wilson. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Evans in the second round (50th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft after he was an All-SEC pick and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. Watts, a third team All-America and All-SEC performer, was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Wilson was honored with the Aggie Heart Award and the Defensive Leadership Award in 2018, wrapping up his career as a three-year starter.
 
The Aggies ranked No. 3 in the FBS in rushing defense (95.2 yards per game), as well as No. 15 in red zone defense (75.7) during 2018.
 
Prior to his return to College Station, Thompson spent the 2015 season at Missouri, also as a graduate assistant, helping Mizzou reach as high as No. 20 in the polls, and finishing No. 4 in the nation in passing yards allowed (166.3 yards per game), and No. 28 in scoring defense (22.0 points per game).
 
Before entering the coaching ranks, Thompson was a teacher in the Houston area.
 
An Alief, Texas native, Thompson was a two-sport letterwinner with the Aggies as a member of the track & field team from 2008-10, while playing football from 2009-11 as a defensive back. He was named the Aggies’ special teams captain in 2011.
 
On the gridiron, Thompson played three seasons with the Aggies, seeing time in 25 games as a special teamer and on the defensive side, making 21 total tackles. During the 2010 season, Thompson was awarded the 12th Man, an honor given to the player who most exemplified hard work, tireless effort and the Aggie Spirit, representing the entire fan base by being the only player to wear jersey number 12.
 
Following graduation from Texas A&M in 2012, completing his B.A. in leadership, education and development, Thompson used his final year of eligibility at Memphis, where he was also named a team captain in 2012.
 
At Memphis, he played in all of the Tigers’ 12 games in 2012, making 19 stops, including 1.5 tackles for loss with a sack.