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Report: Longtime SEC defensive assistant to join Maryland’s staff
Published:
After being spurned by former SEC defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley was looking to fill some openings on his staff. It appears he’s found a new assistant … at least for now.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting that Maryland is expected to hire longtime SEC defensive assistant coach Lance Thompson. He’s spent the past three seasons at FAU, working along the defensive line and coaching inside linebackers.
Thompson brings a ton of SEC experience to College Park, having stops at Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and LSU on his resumé. He’s also worked at Georgia Tech and UCF.
Source: Maryland is expected to hire FAU inside linebacker coach Lance Thompson as an assistant coach. Thompson is a veteran assistant who has coached at Alabama three different times and also been at LSU, Auburn, Georgia Tech, Tennessee and UCF.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 7, 2022
Thamel’s report did not indicate what position group Thompson would coach or what his role would be with the Terrapins. Still, adding that kind of experience to the staff would be a significant boost for a program that has struggled on the defensive side of the football.
Maryland is coming off a 7-6 campaign in 2021, earning their first bowl trip under Locksley. The Terps pummeled Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish over .500.
While the Terps have shown progress in Locksley’s three years, the defense continues to be an issue. The addition of Thompson should help Maryland shore up some of some of those weaknesses entering the 2022 season.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB