Matt Rhule on Nebraska football co-offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas: ‘An elite developer of quarterbacks’

Nebraska football fans have been wanting a co-offensive coordinator and got their wish with Glenn Thomas.

The hire of Glenn Thomas is official as Nebraska football announced the move on Wednesday. However, all the reports surrounding the hire suggested that Thomas was just going to be the quarterbacks coach.

Yet, the release put out by Nebraska football on Wednesday announced Thomas as the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator along with Marcus Satterfield.

I don’t think this is a big surprise. In terms of hiring Thomas away from the NFL, the title of co-offensive coordinator is about pay for one thing. A title always helps you justify paying someone more. Beyond that, Thomas could have a role such as passing game coordinator or it might just be a collaborative effort.

Either way, I don’t see things changing in terms of the play calling. Thomas is just going to have an input on the gameplan and with him coaching the quarterbacks, I don’t see that as a bad thing at all. He’s been an offensive coordinator before with UNLV and Arizona State, in addition to working for Matt Rhule at Baylor and Temple.

Matt Rhule and Glenn Thomas comment on the move

“Glenn Thomas has a history of success throughout his coaching career, and I look forward to him being a part of the Nebraska football program,” Rhule said. “Glenn has proven to be an elite developer of quarterbacks, and his background at both the collegiate and NFL levels is a great addition to our coaching staff.”

“I am honored for the opportunity to join a tradition-rich football program at the University of Nebraska,” Thomas said about his hire. “I have been fortunate to work for Coach Rhule in the past and appreciate the chance to join him and his outstanding staff at Nebraska. I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and go to work with the Husker offense.”

Glenn Thomas Bio

This focuses on the work of Thomas in college football (via Huskers.com):

“Prior to Arizona State, Thomas was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNLV (2020-21). He helped lead the Rebels to several historical accomplishments during that time, including helping running back Charles Williams break the program’s career rushing record and earn first-team All-Mountain West honors. In both of Thomas’s seasons at UNLV he contributed to the development of the Mountain West Freshman of the Year. In 2020, wide receiver Kyle Williams achieved the honor, while quarterback Cameron Friel earned the award in 2021. Friel broke the school record for season completion percentage by a freshman, connecting on 62.4 percent of his passes.

Thomas spent the previous five seasons working on Rhule’s staff at Baylor and Temple. Thomas was the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baylor from 2017 to 2019, assisting in transforming the program. In 2019 the Bears went 11-2 with a No. 7 ranking and a Sugar Bowl appearance. During Thomas’ three years in Waco, quarterback Charlie Brewer developed into one of the top quarterbacks in school history, throwing 69 touchdowns in three seasons and being named a semifinalist for the 2019 Davey O’Brien Award.

Thomas moved to Baylor alongside Rhule after serving at Temple in 2015 and 2016. In two years with the Owls, one as quarterbacks coach and the second as offensive coordinator, Thomas helped the program post the school’s first back-to-back 10-win seasons and bowl berths and capture the 2016 American Athletic Conference title. The 2016 offense averaged 413.6 yards and 32.4 points per game under Thomas’ direction. As quarterbacks coach in 2015, Thomas mentored junior QB P.J. Walker, who threw for 3,295 yards and 22 touchdowns.”

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