Jacob Thigpen joined the EKU football program in the spring of 2019 as a defensive quality control coach.
In his first season with the Colonels, Thigpen was part of a staff that helped the EKU defense finish second in the OVC in points allowed, second in total defense, second in rushing defense and third in passing defense. Eastern Kentucky was fifth in the nation in third down defense, seventh in fourth down defense, 11th in red-zone defense, 15th in rushing defense, 16th in total defense and 22nd in scoring defense in 2019.
Thigpen spent the 2018 season as the running backs coach, scout team coordinator and head video coordinator at NCAA Division III Anna Maria College. He helped the team average nearly 100 rushing yards per game despite running a true Air Raid offense.
Thigpen also served in a variety of roles at Western Carolina University from May 2015 to May 2019, including student assistant, offensive analyst, videographer and assistant operations manager. He received a degree in health and physical education from WCU in May of 2018.
