Andy Thompson was named Stanford’s assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator, and inside linebackers coach on Dec. 6, 2024.
Thompson arrives on The Farm after spending the two previous seasons as the head coach at Sacramento State, where he was promoted following Taylor’s hiring at Stanford. He spent six seasons on staff with the Hornets, including four as the team’s defensive coordinator.
“I’m thrilled to have Andy Thompson join our staff as my assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator, and inside linebackers coach,” said Taylor. “Andy is truly one of the brightest defensive minds that I have ever been around. His players love playing for him and he will be a great resource to me in guiding our program.”
Postseason appearances became a regular occurrence for Sacramento State with Thompson on staff. The Hornets made the NCAA FCS playoffs five times in six seasons, including the school’s first three Big Sky championships. Sacramento State won five playoff games in five years from 2019-2023.
In his first season as head coach, Thompson led Sacramento State back to the FCS playoffs and picked up the program’s first DI-postseason road victory. The Hornets won eight games, the second most under a first-year head coach in Sacramento State history. Thompson coached 11 players who earned All-Big Sky honors, with four first-team selections.
In his final season as defensive coordinator, Thompson helped direct the Hornets to the 2022 FCS Quarterfinals, the deepest playoff run in school history. He coached the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Marte Mapu, becoming just the second Hornet to win the award. Mapu was also named a First Team All-America selection by the Associated Press. Sacramento State allowed just 21.8 points per game in an undefeated regular season.
The 2021 Sacramento State defense was one of the best in school history, allowing just 19.1 points per game and an impressive 15.3 points per game in Big Sky play. Six Hornet defenders landed on the All-Conference team at the end of the season.
Thompson took over the Hornets' defense under Taylor in 2019 and immediately helped turn the unit around. Sacramento State made the FCS playoffs for the first time in school history thanks in part to a defense that allowed 132 fewer yards per game than the season before and the second-most sacks in Hornets history (44). Two areas the team excelled in were defensive pass efficiency and red zone defense, both of which led the Big Sky.
Defensive end George Obinna earned FCS All-America honors from multiple outlets following a record-breaking season in which he set the school record for single-season (14) and career sacks (33.5). Current NFL and All-Pro cornerback Daron Bland was one of eight defensive players on that year’s team to earn postseason Big Sky honors.
Prior to joining Taylor’s staff at Sacramento State, Thompson spent over a decade at Northern Arizona, culminating in 10 years as the defensive coordinator. The first two seasons were spent working with running backs before shifting to the defensive side of the ball as the linebackers coach for two seasons. From 2009-2018, he was the Lumberjacks' defensive coordinator.
More than 60 student-athletes earned all-conference honors under Thompson at Northern Arizona, including Austin Haquet, who became NAU’s first NFF Scholar-Athlete and William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist in 2018.
Thompson began his coaching career at Eastern Oregon in 2004, working with the linebackers and special teams unit. He oversaw the growth of linebacker Nick Hannah, who signed a free-agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts and eventually played in both the CFL and UFL.
A native of Walla Walla, Wash., Thompson was part of five Big Sky championships with the Montana Grizzlies as a linebacker, including the 2001 Grizzlies' national championship team. He played 44 games over five seasons, piling up 103 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
Andy and his wife, Mikel, have three sons: Mac, Austin, and Teague.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2023-24 – Sacramento State (Head Coach)
2019-22 – Sacramento State (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2009-18 – Northern Arizona (Defensive Coordinator)
2007-08 – Northern Arizona (Linebackers)
2005-06 – Northern Arizona (Running Backs)
2004 – Eastern Oregon (Linebackers/Special Teams)