Thomas Thompson enters his 17th season as the jumps coach for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where he has helped establish one of the premier jumps programs in the America East Conference. Since joining the Retriever coaching staff in 2010, Thompson has coached America East individual conference champions, NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifiers, school record holders, and numerous All-America East performers while helping lead the continued success of UMBC’s men’s and women’s track & field programs.
Under Thompson’s direction, UMBC student-athletes have captured America East championships in the men’s and women’s long jump, triple jump, and high jump. His athletes have consistently qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round, established school records, earned major conference honors, and scored valuable points at the America East Championships. Thompson has coached conference champions including Thomas Johnson, Shioma Obemeata, Alicia Beaman, Jasmine Holland, Ibrahim Khairat, and Janine Amefia. In addition to his conference champions, Thompson has developed numerous America East runners-up in the men’s high jump and triple jump, as well as the women’s long jump and triple jump, demonstrating the consistent depth and competitiveness of UMBC’s jumps program.
Recognized for his technical expertise in the horizontal and vertical jumps, Thompson has earned a reputation for developing athletes from promising recruits into conference champions and NCAA-caliber competitors. His emphasis on technical excellence, consistency, and athlete development has made the UMBC jumps program one of the strongest event groups in the America East Conference.
Prior to arriving at UMBC, Thompson enjoyed one of the most decorated collegiate careers in the history of Lincoln University. A 21-time NCAA All-American and five-time NCAA Division III National Champion, he captured NCAA titles in the outdoor high jump (1997, 1998), outdoor triple jump (1998, 1999), and indoor triple jump (1998). He earned All-America honors in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, and the 4×100-meter relay before being inducted into the Lincoln University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.
Thompson’s passion for athlete development extends beyond competitive success. He is committed to helping student-athletes reach their full potential through technical excellence, academic achievement, leadership, and personal growth. His dedication to building championship-caliber jumpers continues to position UMBC among the top jumps programs in the America East Conference.
