Dennis Thurman
Current position | |
---|---|
Title | Defensive coordinator Cornerbacks coach |
Team | Hawaii Rainbow Warriors |
Conference | MW |
Biographical details | |
Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | April 13, 1956
Alma mater | University of Southern California |
Playing career | |
1974–1977 | USC |
1978–1985 | Dallas Cowboys |
1986 | St. Louis Cardinals |
Position(s) | Phoenix Cardinals (DB) |
1993–2000 | USC (DB) |
2002–2003 | Baltimore Ravens (Defensive assistant) |
2004–2007 | Baltimore Ravens (DB) |
2008–2012 | New York Jets (DB) |
2013–2014 | New York Jets (DC) |
2015–2016 | Buffalo Bills (DC) |
2019 | Memphis Express (DC) |
2020–2022 | Jackson State (DC) |
2023 | Colorado (Defensive quality control) |
2024–present | Hawaii (DC/CB) |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
| |
Awards | |
| |
Dennis Lee Thurman (born April 13, 1956) is an
Early life
Thurman attended Santa Monica High School, where he was a quarterback and defensive back. He was a part of three CIF Division I championship teams that combined to go 39–1–1.
Thurman also played
College career
Thurman accepted a football scholarship from the
As a junior in 1976, Thurman was named the starter at
As a senior in 1977, Thurman was second on the team with three interceptions. He was named the team's MVP and its Defensive Player of the Year. He played in the 1978 Senior Bowl and was a Playboy Pre-season All-American.
Thurman is tied for sixth in school history with 13
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Thurman was selected by the
In
In
In
In 1982, he made 43 tackles and 3 interceptions. He returned a 60-yard interception for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. He tied a club and an NFC playoff record with 3 interceptions, including a 39-yard return for touchdown to clinch a victory in the playoffs second round against the Green Bay Packers.
In 1983, he collected 66 tackles, one fumble recovery and led the team with 6 interceptions. He scored his fourth career touchdown when he recovered a fumble against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In
During the
Thurman was waived on August 26, 1986.[6] He left with a franchise record of career 4 interceptions returned for touchdowns, he ranked fourth in regular season career interceptions (36), second in playoff interceptions (7) and third in interception return yardage (562). At the time, he also ranked third in league history for career playoff interceptions.
St. Louis Cardinals
On August 28,
Thurman never missed a game during his 137-game career and finished with 36
Coaching career
He made his
Baltimore Ravens (2002–2007)
Thurman was part of the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff from 2002 to 2007.
New York Jets (2008–2014)
Defensive backs coach (2008–2012)
Thurman was named defensive backs coach upon the hiring of Rex Ryan as head coach of the Jets. During his tenure, he coached Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.[8] Revis and Cromartie were vital parts of the Jets defense, especially during the Jets' playoff appearances in 2009 and 2010. Under Thurman's coaching, Revis was described as "one of the best" corners in the league.[9] After five seasons, Thurman was promoted to defensive coordinator after the 2012 season.
Defensive coordinator (2013–2014)
Thurman was named Defensive Coordinator prior to the 2013 season. In his first season, the Jets defense allowed 24.2 points per game against.[10] Thurman's defense was sixth in the league in his final season in New York, allowing 327.2 yards per game. They also finished in the top five among defenses against the running game. Following the 2014 season, he joined Rex Ryan's coaching staff for the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Bills (2015–2016)
On January 15, 2015, Thurman was hired by new head coach Rex Ryan to serve as the defensive coordinator. Thurman was credited for helping cornerback Stephon Gilmore emerge. The Bills ranked 19th in the league in defense in his first season and 14th in 2016.[11][12] He was fired on January 14, 2017.
Memphis Express (2018)
In October 2018, Thurman was named defensive coordinator for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).[13]
University of Hawaii (2024)
On January 19, 2024, the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior football team announced that Thurman was hired as defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach.[14]
Personal life
Thurman is the older brother of Ulysses "Junior" Thurman, who also attended Santa Monica High School (1981) and the University of Southern California.[15] He played defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints.
Notes and references
- ^ Lott, Ronnie; Roy Lott (July 29, 2000). "Ronnie Lott's Enshrinement Speech". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
- ^ "Cowboys Were His Team Too". Los Angeles Times. January 1995. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Eagles-Cowboys' war should be a lively one". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Dallas' Clinkscale Talks Up a Storm". Los Angeles Times. October 4, 1985. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "White Scores in Cowboy Win, but There's a Catch to It". Los Angeles Times. September 23, 1985. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Cowboys hope Thurman is not a factor tonight". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Cards pickup Dallas reject". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman jokes Antonio Cromartie should 'pray' while facing A.J. Green". October 25, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "Patriots still hold respect for the Jets' Darrelle Revis". November 24, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ "New York Jets 2013 Roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ Greer, Jarvis (October 9, 2018). "Memphis Express names assistant coaches". WMC-TV. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ Tsai, Stephen (January 19, 2024). "UH finalizes hiring of Thurman, Morrison, Reinebold". Honolulu Star Advertiser. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "In the Thurman Family, It's Safeties First : USC's Junior and Cowboys' Dennis Can Compare Notes and Interceptions". Los Angeles Times. September 15, 1985. Retrieved January 12, 2019.