Maryland announces finalized defensive staff

Maryland announced their finalized defensive staff on Wednesday.

Former Florida Atlantic assistant Lance Thompson has joined the program as the Terps’ new inside linebackers coach, replacing former longtime assistant Brawley Evans. Former Louisiana assistant Wes Neighbors has also joined the program as safeties coach, replacing Brian Stewart, while Maryland defensive line coach Brian Williams was deservingly elevated to defensive coordinator.

Afer spending time at UAB, Georgia and Florida State, Williams has been nothing short of an ace for the Terps on and off the field. Considered one of the best assistant coaches within the program, Williams has spearheaded the bulk of Maryland’s recruiting efforts in Florida and was the primary recruiter for prospects like Ruben Hyppolite, Darrell Jackson and Marcus Fleming. Williams also served as the primary play caller for the Terps’ final two games this season as the defense allowed 26 combined points.

Read more on Williams here.

Thompson, meanwhile, joins Maryland with experience at Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and South Carolina and is coming off his second season with FAU. After joining Florida Atlantic as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator back in 2019, Thompson moved to coach linebackers during the 2021 season and will now make the seamless transition to College Park. Per release, Thompson has coached and/or recruited several players who have been selected highly in the NFL Draft, including Julio Jones, Mark Barron, Trent Richardson, D.J. Fluker, Chance Warmack, Marco Coleman, Cornelius Griffin, Marquise Hill, Laron Landry, Tyson Jackson, Coutney Upshaw and Coleman Rudolph.

Thompson also joins the program as a proven recruiter after being named the nation’s top recruiter by Rivals in 2008 then by ESPN in 2014. However, Thompson was hit with a one-year show clause in 2019 after an NCAA investigation found Thompson had impermissible contact with a high school prospect while on the Gamecocks’ staff. Thompson was also suspended one game and was not allowed to engage in off-campus recruiting during the fall 2019 evaluation period. Regardless, Thompson either coached or recruited players who participated in eight National Championship games.

Read more on Thompson here.

Neighbors, meanwhile, was part of five national championship teams at Alabama (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017) as both a player and staff member. He joins the program just weeks after being elevated to associate head coach at Louisiana after Neighbors led a Louisiana defense that finished 14th in FBS in passing yards. Neighbors also coached at Florida Atlantic, but spent the 2020 season at USF where the secondary hauled in ten interceptions.

Read more on Neighbors here.

Maryland announced changes on the offensive side of the ball last week with the addition of Gunter Brewer as wide receiver coach. Tight ends coach Mike Miller was also elevated to co-offensive coordinator.

Maryland is expected to begin spring practice on March 29 and will kick the season. off September 3 against Buffalo.