The 15th head football coach in Jesuit (since taking the name Jesuit) football history, was hired this afternoon. A program with 16 District titles, 21 playoff appearances, 4 final fours and 1 state title chose to hire their next head coach with 5 state title game appearances and 3 state titles.
Matt Thompson, Armwood defensive coordinator for eleven years and assistant coach at Armwood since 1994 will be the next varsity head football coach at Jesuit. “There is no other job I would leave Armwood for”, said Thompson
The 44 year old, father of one is a 1986 graduate of Armwood High School. Played linebacker for the Hawks 1984-1985 for head coach Mike Burnett. He then spent 4 years in the Marines 1986-1990 before becoming a member of the Armwood football staff as a defensive line coach in 1994-1996. Thompson was promoted as the defensive coordinator at Armwood in 1997, assistant coach 1998-2002 and back to the defensive coordinator in 2003-2012.
The 2004 National Football Federation Co-Assistant Coach of the year, has always been known for constructing one of the best defenses in the state of Florida year in and year out. Since being the defensive coordinator in 1997 & 2003-2012, Thompson’s defense has produced 41 total shutouts in 11 years. On average, that is 3 defensive shutouts including shutting out offensive power Plant four times (3 under Robert Weiner), three shutouts vs. Hillsborough and two shutouts vs. Jefferson. Armwood’s defenses under Thompson, have shutout 21 different teams in 11 seasons.
TEAMS THOMPSON’S HAWK D SHUTOUT 3 OR MORE TIMES
Wharton 1997,2009,2010
Tampa Bay Tech. – 2003,2007,2012
Leto – 2003,2011,2012
King – 2003,2004,2010
Plant – 2003,2004,2010,2011
Brandon – 2005,2008,2012
Hillsborough – 2007,2007,2011
Thompson will replace James Harrell who resigned at the conclusion of the 2012 season after spending just three seasons as the Tigers head coach. Jesuit went 7-3 in 2012 after 22-3 record and two district titles in his first two seasons as the Tigers head football coach.
Since the departure of legendary Dominick Ciao (1986-2002), Jesuit has hired four different head coaches in 11 seasons.