Thomas Reese enters his fourth season at McNeese as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach.
During his time at McNeese, Reese has mentored three All-Americans, five All-Southland Conference selections, and the 2022 SLC Offensive Player of the Year.
Under his leadership, the Cowboy special teams units consistently rank at the top of FCS and the Southland Conference in multiple categories. In 2024, the punt unit finished the year ranked 2nd in the Southland Conference and 19th in the country in net punt average.
Punter Finn Lappin earned First Team All-SLC and Freshman All-American honors while finishing 4th in the nation in yards per punt. His 46.1 yards per punt average for the season set a new single-season McNeese school record. With those accomplishments, Lappin was recognized as a finalist for the Jerry Rice award, the only specialist on the list. Long Snapper Jovoni Borbon also received First Team All-SLC and Third Team All-American honors. On the offensive side of the ball, Reese guided Running Back Jo’Shon Barbie to Second Team All-SLC honors.
For the 2023 season, McNeese ranked in the Top 35 nationally in 3 major special teams categories (kickoff coverage, kickoff returns, net punt). Both Punt and FG units finished the regular season with a National Top 25 PFF grade.
In 2022, Reese coached Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award Finalist, Deonta McMahon. McMahon rushed for over 1400 yards while finishing the season ranked in the top 10 in numerous FCS rushing categories. Upon finishing his career at McNeese, McMahon signed a contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
Special teams also found success in 2022. McNeese finished 1st in the Southland Conference in FG efficiency and punt coverage. Kicker Garrison Smith earned Freshman All-American and First Team All-SLC honors.
In 2021, Reese served as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Valdosta State University. That fall was a banner year for VSU in the running department as three players rushed for over 1,000 yards each while the team racked up over 3,700 yards on the
ground. VSU finished 2nd in Division II in yards per game (509 ypg) and 1st in sacks allowed (4). Running Backs Seth McGill and Jamar Thompkins both earned First Team All-Gulf South Conference honors.
Along with McGill and Thompkins, Reese also coached Kicker Estin Theile to All-GSC honors. Theile finished 1st in the GSC and 8th in the country in scoring. Reese led a kick return unit that finished the season ranked 15th in Division II. The Blazers completed the season with a 12-2 record, winning the Gulf South Conference while advancing to the Division II National Championship Game in McKinney, TX.
Prior to joining Valdosta State for the 2021 season, Reese spent three seasons at Mars Hill University as wide receivers coach, special teams and recruiting coordinator. Reese coached Craig Rucker during the 2018 & 2019 campaigns as Rucker racked up several postseason accolades including two-time South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, two- time AFCA First Team All-American, two-time D2Football.com First Team All-American, and two-time Harlon Hill trophy nominee, recognizing the best player in DII football. Rucker currently holds several SAC and MHU records. Rucker signed professionally with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL after graduation.
Reese oversaw an MHU offense in 2019 that led the South Atlantic Conference in total offense per game (430 ypg), total passing (3,367 yards), passing yards per game (306.1 ypg), and first downs per game (23.7).
Before joining the staff at Mars Hill, Reese spent the 2017 season as the running backs and tight ends coach at Valdosta High School (Ga). In addition to those responsibilities, he also served as special teams and recruiting coordinator.
In his first year with the Wildcats in 2016, Reese headed the tight end coaching role and special teams coordinator position, while helping lead VHS to a GHSA AAAAAA State Championship and appearance in the Geico State Champions Bowl in Dallas, TX.
Reese first arrived at Valdosta State in 2014 accepting the role of wide receivers coach and in 2015, the running backs coaching position. While at VSU, Reese coached All-American Running Back Cedric O’Neal. O’Neal went on to sign a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. During his time at Valdosta State, the team went 19-6 along with two appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Reese got his start in coaching in 2011 at Guilford College where he spent three seasons as the wide receivers coach.
Reese played quarterback for Head Coach Joe Reich at Wingate University from 2007 -10, earning his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 2011. In his final season at Wingate, he helped lead the Bulldogs to the South Atlantic Conference crown and an appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Continuing his education at Valdosta State University, Reese earned his master’s degree in
Public Administration in 2016.
Reese and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Kamden, and son, Reagan.
