Bio

Bryan Thomas begins his 14th year at Michigan Tech in 2023-24 and 10th as a full-time member of the coaching staff. He enters his seventh season as defensive coordinator and also works as the linebackers coach.

Thomas helped the Huskies finish 6-4 overall in 2021, including 5-2 in the GLIAC for third place. Tech's defense tied for second best in the conference, allowing 18.6 points per game to opponents and the Huskies defeated rival Northern Michigan for the 11th straight season in Marquette at Superior Dome. The 2020 season was canceled due to Covid-19. Michigan Tech wrapped up the 2019 campaign 5-5 and finished fifth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. Twelve Michigan Tech players earned GLIAC Postseason honors while defensive lineman Nate LaJoie was a D2CCA First Team All-Region and Don Hansen First Team All-American. 

Following the 2016 season, three of Thomas' players picked up All-GLIAC honors. Defensive lineman Cody Goldsworthy was a second team selection while Evan Mayer picked up honorable mention honors. Punter Ryan VanGoethem was also an All-GLIAC Honorable Mention along with being selected as a 1st Team CoSIDA Academic All-American.

In 2015, four of Thomas' players earned All-GLIAC honors following the season. Defensive linemen Tanner Agen and Evan Mayer were second team honorees while defensive lineman Brandon Hutchison and punter Ryan VanGoethem picked up honorable mention accolades. In 2014, three of Thomas’ players were named All-GLIAC including one first-teamer Nelson Wienke, who was the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year.

The Huskies’ defense has ranked among the tops in the GLIAC for each of the last several years including last year, when it finished fifth in scoring defense (26.3 points allowed per game) and second in total defense (337.4 yards allowed per game).

Thomas gained a bachelor’s degree in science and physical education from Grand Valley State. He played defensive line for the Lakers for five seasons and was part of two national championships and four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles during his time there. He also earned Academic All-GLIAC laurels four times.

Thomas, a native of South Lyon, Mich., started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan Tech, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration.