The Panini Senior Bowl announced that New Orleans Saints associate head coach/running backs coach Joel Thomas will serve as the head coach for the American team for the 76th annual college all-star game.
"I'm honored to be chosen as the American Team head coach for the 2026 Senior Bowl," Thomas said. "This is the elite college football all-star game that has featured some of the top players in the sport as they look to take that next step in their careers. It gives players from schools of all sizes the opportunity to compete, work under the tutelage of NFL coaches and receive great exposure to general managers, scouts and coaches. I had a great experience in Mobile in 2025 as the American Team offensive coordinator and look forward to getting to know and work with these outstanding young men throughout the week in making this a great experience for them."
Thomas, a 25-year coaching veteran, returned to the New Orleans Saints in 2025 as associate head coach/running backs coach after previously spending nine seasons (2015-23) with the club. In 2024, he coached running backs for the New York Giants. Prior to the NFL, he spent 13 seasons as a running backs coach in the college ranks, including time with Washington (2009-12), Purdue (2006-08), his alma mater Idaho (2004-05) and Louisville (2002-03). Thomas played running back at Idaho (1993-98) where he holds school records for rushing yards and touchdowns and was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
The National Team will be led by Clint Hurtt, senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
This is the fourth year the Senior Bowl is implementing a "Coach Up" format in which NFL coordinators and assistant coaches are placed into elevated or different roles from the ones they currently hold with their respective clubs. Head coaches and general managers from all non-playoff teams and Wild Card round participants had the opportunity to nominate assistant coaches.
The 76th Senior Bowl will kick off at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Jan. 31, from the University of South Alabama's Hancock Whitney Stadium and will be televised on NFL Network.
