Senior Bowl Taps Saints Vet Joel Thomas as American Team Head Coach

In a new and exciting twist for the 76th Panini Senior Bowl, the New Orleans Saints’ Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach Joel Thomas has been selected to lead the American Team as its head coach in this year’s premier college all-star game.

The announcement was made Friday by Senior Bowl officials, setting the stage for Thomas to showcase both his coaching acumen and his eye for future NFL talent.

The Senior Bowl, long regarded as the marquee event of the pre-draft evaluation cycle, brings together top college prospects for a week of intense practices and a culminating game on January 31 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Traditionally a proving ground for draft hopefuls, the event also offers a unique opportunity for coaches to work closely with elite talent and make lasting impressions on NFL decision makers.

For Thomas, the assignment marks a significant milestone in a distinguished coaching career that spans over 25 years across college and NFL ranks. After a successful stint coaching running backs for the New York Giants in 2024, Thomas returned to the Saints in 2025 with added responsibilities as associate head coach while continuing to oversee the running backs room. His extensive experience includes multiple seasons with the Saints earlier in his career and a long tenure developing collegiate rushers before stepping into the NFL coaching ranks.

“I’m honored to be chosen as the American Team head coach for the 2026 Senior Bowl,” Thomas said in the release, reflecting on both the honor and the importance of the event for aspiring professionals. He noted the value the Senior Bowl offers players from “schools of all sizes” in gaining exposure to NFL scouts, general managers and coaches — a sentiment underscoring the game’s role as a bridge between college success and pro opportunity.

Part of the Senior Bowl’s “Coach Up” format now in its fourth year, Thomas was nominated by Saints leadership and selected from a competitive pool of NFL assistants and coordinators to take on the elevated role. This structure allows assistants like Thomas to step into head coaching roles they don’t normally occupy during the regular season — a chance to lead, innovate and interact with diverse coaching staffs and playing styles.

Opposing Thomas on the sidelines will be **Clint Hurtt**, senior defensive assistant and defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, who will guide the *National Team*. Together, these two sideline leaders will orchestrate practices and run the January 31 game, televised nationally and expected to feature many of the game’s top draft prospects.

For the Saints organization, Thomas’ appointment not only spotlights their growing reputation as a development hub for coaching talent but also reinforces the team’s continued involvement in shaping the next generation of NFL stars. With Senior Bowl week around the corner, all eyes — from Mobile to New Orleans — will be on Thomas as he navigates this prestigious role and prepares to influence the future of professional football.