Jesse Thompson enters his first season as the defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the East Texas A&M football program in 2026.
Thompson arrives in Commerce following a successful season as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at North Carolina Central in 2025. After serving as the Eagles' safeties coach in 2024, Thompson was promoted to defensive coordinator and helped lead one of the top defensive units in the FCS. Under his direction, NCCU produced six All-Conference selections and ranked nationally among FCS leaders in several categories, including first in sacks and fourth-down defense, fifth in tackles for loss, 12th in first-down defense and defensive touchdowns, and 17th in interceptions.
Prior to his promotion, Thompson served as safeties coach at North Carolina Central during the 2024 season, helping guide the Eagles to an 8-4 record and one of the nation's top defensive units. NCCU finished the season ranked first in FCS pass efficiency defense, third in first-down defense, third-down defense, tackles for loss, and defensive touchdowns, while also ranking fourth in passing yards allowed and seventh in total defense. Thompson coached two All-Conference safeties, including one who went on to play in the Canadian Football League.
Thompson joined North Carolina Central after serving as associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Mississippi Valley State in 2023. Prior to his time in the SWAC, he spent four seasons at Northern Arizona University overseeing the Lumberjacks' secondary.
During his tenure at Northern Arizona, Thompson helped develop multiple standout defensive backs while contributing to one of the strongest defensive stretches in program history. The Lumberjacks ranked 13th nationally in third-down defense and 18th in interceptions during the 2021 season, while safety Morgan Vest earned unanimous First Team All-Big Sky honors. In 2019, defensive back Khalil Dorsey earned First Team All-Big Sky honors before signing an NFL contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
Before Northern Arizona, Thompson served as defensive backs coach at Delta State University, where he helped the Statesmen advance to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2017. His secondary ranked among the nation's top units in interceptions, red-zone defense, and third-down defense, while one of his defensive backs signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks. Thompson also recruited three Division II All-Americans during his time at Delta State.
Thompson began his collegiate coaching career at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2010, serving in multiple roles, including defensive coordinator. He later served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Virginia Union University in 2016.
A respected coach in the profession, Thompson has participated in both the NCAA/NFL Coaches Academy (2014, 2023) and the NFL Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship, where he served as a defensive assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp in 2016. Since 2016, Thompson has coached nine All-Conference defensive backs.
A native of Meridian, Mississipi, Thompson is the father of one son, Devarion.
