Fred Thomas will begin his third season as the Pioneers’ head coach in 2018. Malone Athletic Director Charlie Grimes announced in January of 2016 that the longtime Walsh University defensive coordinator and veteran Stark County coach had been appointed the 7th head coach in the history of the Malone football program.
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In addition to his 16 seasons at Walsh, Thomas' extensive coaching resume also includes time as the defensive coordinator at Youngstown State University and as the head coach at Girard, Alliance, and GlenOak High Schools. Thomas was a member of the Malone coaching staff during the 2015 season, serving as a defensive assistant.
"We are excited to begin a new chapter of Malone University football with Fred's appointment," said Grimes. "He is one of the most experienced collegiate coaches in Northeast Ohio and he knows this market well from his extensive time coaching in Stark County. He is well respected throughout the region."
"Coach Thomas is one of the most loyal coaches that I have been around, and I have been around quite a few," said veteran collegiate football coach Jim Dennison, Thomas' boss at Walsh. "Fred will do a great job for Malone, the football program, and more importantly, their student athletes. He is a great person, leader, and a winner."
Thomas coached at his alma mater, Youngstown State, from 1978-86, serving as the defensive line coach from 1978-83 and as the defensive coordinator from 1984-86. Thomas helped guide the Penguins to an NCAA Division II National Runner-Up finish in 1979.
Thomas left Youngstown State in 1986 to become the head coach at Girard High School and was named Mahoning Valley Coach of the Year in 1987. He remained at Girard until 1989, when he accepted the head coaching position at Alliance High School. While with the Aviators, Thomas was named the 1991 Stark County Division I Coach of the Year. Thomas left Alliance in 1991 to become the head coach at GlenOak High School and once again was honored by his peers, earning Federal League Coach of the Year accolades in 1994.
In addition, Thomas was also elected to the Stark County Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 and garnered the Professional Service Award at the Career Center at GlenOak in 1999.
Thomas received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Youngstown State in 1979 and his master’s degree from Ashland University in 1994.
Fred and his wife, Mia, a member of the Walsh University Athletic Wall of Fame, reside in Perry Township with their son Ben and daughter Mollie.
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