Andy Thompson resigns after two seasons as Sacramento State football coach. Who will take over?
Andy Thompson resigned as head football coach at Sacramento State to join the Stanford football team headed by Troy Taylor, the former Hornets head coach.
Sacramento State announced Thompson’s resignation Friday morning in a statement, ending his mixed stint with the Hornets, and Taylor confirmed to The Sacramento Bee via text message that Thompson “is joining me as assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach” at Stanford.
Added Taylor to The Bee, “It is fantastic. I’m fired up. I’m thrilled to have Andy Thompson join our staff. Andy is truly one of the brightest defensive minds that I have ever been around. His players love playing for him ad he will be a great resource to me in guiding our program.”
Thompson joined Sacramento State before the 2019 season as defensive coordinator, joining Taylor’s staff, and the two enjoyed lifting the Hornets to record success, including winning three Big Sky Conference championships.
Thompson replaced Taylor as head coach when Taylor accepted the Stanford head post following the 2022 season. Thompson in 2023 led the Hornets back to the FCS playoffs in his first year heading the Hornets.
This season was a brutally difficult one for the Hornets and no one took on that burden more than Thompson, whose team didn’t quit in a trying season that included a rash of injuries and close losses in dipping to 3-9 overall and 1-7 in the Big Sky.
Thompson said he felt the “hurt” of his players after crushing losses, including in the final seconds at Cal Poly and in the 70th Causeway Classic to rival UC Davis. He was optimistic about the recruiting season and vowed to keep up the good fight.
He finished his tenure at the helm with an 11-14 record.
“We want to thank Coach Thompson and his family for all they have done for Sacramento State football over the last five seasons,” Director of Athletics Mark Orr said in a statement. “Under his watch, the program has achieved its highest level of success. We wish him the best of luck in the future.”
Thompson was appreciative of his Hornets tenure and excited about his new challenge.
“I am thankful and excited for the opportunity to join Coach Taylor and his staff on The Farm,” Thompson texted The Bee in a statement. “He was a great mentor to me while together at Sac State. Coach Taylor has the ability to cultivate teams that are competitive, tough and smart. I look forward to assisting on a great staff that is already in place.”
Thompson said of the program he leaves behind: “My family and I can’t thank Sac State enough for all the great memories and people we have met along the way. Sacramento will always hold a special place in our hearts. I want to thank the administration, coaches and players that impacted our lives. Our family will forever be rooting for the Hornets. Stingers up!”
Sacramento State announced that a “national search will begin immediately” to replace Thompson. That coach may already be in place.
After Taylor left for Stanford, Orr interviewed Thompson, assistant head coach Kris Richardson and quarterbacks coach Bobby Fresques. The coaches planned to stay with the Hornets regardless of who was named head coach. Richardson was the longtime head coach at nearby Folsom High School, including a stint as co-coach with Taylor. Fresques was also a longtime Folsom High assistant coach.
The Hornets’ job is sure to attract a lot of interest. The Hornets are nestled in the state capital, surrounded by a fertile recruiting base. There are plans to build a new football stadium and talk of moving up from the FCS to the top-tier FBS.
Other coaches expected to express interest include former Hornets linemen and assistant coach Angus McClure, currently on the University of Kansas’ football staff, and longtime American River College coach Jon Osterhout. Both looked into the Sacramento State post in 2019 before Taylor was hired.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 9:34 AM.