Career Highlights
- Entering 5th Season at UC as the Defensive Coordinator and DB's Coach
- Compiled a 20-20 Record (8-18 MSC)
Starr Thompson finished his fourth season as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Patriots after being hired during the spring 2022.
In his fourth season, Thompson helped lead the Patriots to a 4-6 record while the defense allowed 31.1 points and 344.5 yards per game. Cumberlands finished the season with 26 sacks, nine interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. Defensive end Hunter Zirkle earned First Team All-American and First Team All-MSC honors after recording 50 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks.
In his third season. Thompson and the Patriots went 5-5 and 2-4 in MSC action. The defense averaged 24.2 points against per game and accumulated 28 sacks and 13 interceptions on the year. UC defeated #24 Lindsey Wilson College for the first time in 11 years, giving up just 14 points in that contest. Thompson had two All-Conference honorees in Adam Caudle (LB) and Malik Thornton (DB).
In his second season, coach helped the Patriots improve to 6-4 while holding their opponents to 22.1 ppg. The defense tallied 16 interceptions, which ranked 15th in the nation. They returned two INT for touchdowns, and forced 10 fumbles as well. Four Patriot defenders earned All-Conference honors including Kendall Adams-Young (1st), Malik Thornton (1st), Adam Caudle and Damon Byrnes-Mitchell.Â
In his first season, Thompson helped guide the Patriots defense to a strong season, including five MSC All-Conference selections.  Cumberlands posted 43 sacks, which is the second most in the NAIA and ranks second in program history, while also tallying a pair of pick six's. The Patriots had five MSC All-Conference selections, including Kendall Adams-Young earning First Team honors, while Malik Thornton was named the MSC Defensive Freshman of the Year.
"I look forward to being a part of this great community and hungry football program. This is an opportunity I'll cherish for a lifetime," said Thompson.
Thompson brings familiarity to Cumberlands as he coached and played at MSC rival Georgetown.  He began his coaching career in 2020 as the defensive backs coach for the Tigers. In his two seasons there he was part of the Tigers coaching staff that ranked in the top-15 of the NAIA in ppg, limiting opponents to 16.1 ppg during the 2021 season. He also coached Rob Sheffield to MSC All-Conference honors.
Prior to joining the coaching staff at Georgetown, Thompson was a standout player for the Tigers. He recorded 248 tackles, 121 of which were unassisted, seven interceptions, and four tackles for loss. During the 2019 season, Thompson tallied 106 tackles, six pass breakups, and three interceptions to earn NAIA First Team All-American honors as well as being a MSC First Team All-Conference selection. Thompson closed out his career as two-time MSC All-Conference player and two-time MSC defensive player of the week. Â
Thompson is married to his wife Kennedy and they have two daughters, Emersyn and Lakelynn. Be sure to follow Coach Thompson on Twitter at @StarrThompson20.
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| Year |
Overall Record |
Conference Record |
| 2025 |
4-6 |
1-8 |
| 2024 |
5-5 |
2-4 |
| 2023 |
6-4 |
2-4 |
| 2022 |
5-5 |
3-5 |
| Total |
20-20 |
8-18 |
