NAU - No #79. Here is the DC
Andy Thompson
Title: Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Phone: 928-523-1900
Email:
Andrew.Thompson@nau.edu
Bio
• Begins his sixth season as the defensive coordinator and eighth overall as the linebackers coach at Northern Arizona University. He is entering his 10th season overall on the staff after spending his first two seasons across the line of scrimmage directing the running backs.
• Has coached 30 student-athletes to 46 All-Big Sky honors at NAU. In 2013, had 10 players earn all-conference accolades, led by AP All-American Lucky Dozier. In addition to Dozier, Anders Battle and Tim Wilkinson also earned first team all-conference honors.
• In 2013, helped coach NAU to its first Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff appearance in 10 years.
• All-conference linebacker Austin Hasquet was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-America® Division I football team. Hasquet was the third football player in school history to earn Academic All-America first team honors, and the first since 2003. He is also the 10th student-athlete in NAU history to earn first team honors since the program began in 1952.
• NAU led the FCS in defensive touchdowns with eight in 2013. The Lumberjacks finished first in total defense (348.3), pass defense (190.8), passing efficiency defense (107.7), opponent first downs (17.7), opponent third-down conversions (34.9) and opponent fourth-down conversions (29.4). NAU was also second in scoring defense (22.0) and tallied 22 sacks on the season. The Lumberjacks finished eighth in the FCS in opponent fourth-down conversions, 13th in team passing efficiency defense and 18th in scoring defense.
• NAU finished the 2012 season first in the Big Sky in pass defense (203.7), and ranked second in scoring defense (23.6) and total defense (342.5). NAU finished 37th in total defense and 38th in rushing defense in the FCS. Cornerback Anders Battle and safety Lucky Dozier earned All-Big Sky first team honors, while defensive tackle Tim Wilkinson was voted to the second team.
• In 2011, NAU was third in rushing defense (35th in the FCS) and scoring defense in the conference and ranked fifth overall in the Big Sky in total defense. Isaac Bond was named to the All-Big Sky first team for the second consecutive season after recording a team-best 7.5 tackles for loss (third in the Big Sky). Linebacker Scott McKeever closed out his career with his second all-conference honor.
• In 2010, the Lumberjacks led the league in scoring defense (19.8), rushing defense (93.5) and sacks (33), while ranking second overall in total defense (306.6) and pass defense (213.1). The Lumberjacks ranked fifth nationally in rush defense and among the FCS Top 25 in sacks (10th), total defense (14th) and pass defense (22nd).
• In 2010, linebacker Reid Worthington and defensive lineman Isaac Bond were both named to the All-Big Sky first team. NAU upset previously ninth-ranked Montana State, which led the Big Sky and ranked second in the FCS in total offense at 516.2 yards per game. The Bobcats were held to just 19 yards in the first half and 123 yards for the game.
• Promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2009 season. The Lumberjacks ranked third in the Big Sky and 35th in the nation in rushing defense, holding opponents to less than 100 yards rushing five times. NAU was at its best in conference games, ranking second overall allowing 352.9 yards per game against Big Sky opponents. Returning senior Matt Estrada led six defensive players on the All-Big Sky team, including linebackers Stevon Thomas (second) and Reid Worthington (HM).
• Thompson helped tutor a defense that led the FCS and ranked second in Division I overall in rushing defense allowing just 59.8 yards per game in 2008. It reset the NAU and Big Sky Conference records for rushing defense and yards allowed in a season. Cody Dowd earned All-Big Sky second team honors, while Stevon Thomas was an honorable mention selection.
• Helped coach the special teams in 2007-08. The Lumberjacks ranked fourth in the nation in net punting and led the Big Sky Conference in kickoff coverage in 2007.
• In his first season on the defensive staff, Cody Dowd earned All-Big Sky honorable mention accolades.
• Led a solid backfield group in 2006 that played a vital role in the offensive success of the squad. NAU ranked second in the Big Sky in rushing per game at 137.9 with a league-best 3.9 yards per carry. NAU ranked first in scoring offense (34.4 points per game) and total offense (405.1), listed fifth and sixth respectively on the national charts.
• Coached Alex Henderson to 2006 Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year accolades. He was the first Lumberjack to capture the honor since former Payton Award winner Archie Amerson garnered the distinction in 1995.
• Joined the NAU staff in 2005 as a graduate assistant, assisting with the running backs and other program related duties before being promoted to full-time status in 2006.
• Coached at Eastern Oregon in 2004 under current assistant Travis Baker. At Eastern Oregon he tutored Nick Hannaw, a linebacker who signed as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. His special teams’ punt and kickoff return units both ranked among the NAIA Top 10.
• A native of Walla Walla, Wash., Thompson played for Montana for four seasons (1999, 2001-03). He helped the Grizzlies to five Big Sky Championships and one national championship (2001) during his five-year career in Missoula. He played in 44 career games with 103 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss.
• Graduated with a degree in health enhancement from Montana in May 2004. He married the former Mikal Mickleson of Missoula, Mont., in the summer of 2008. They have two sons, Mac and Austin.
Andy Thompson, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Born: April 30, 1980
College: Montana, 2004.
Playing Experience: Montana, 1999, 2001-03
Family: Married to the former Mikal Mickleson; Sons, Mac and Austin.
Recruiting Areas: Inland Empire (Calif.), West Valley (Phoenix).
