Kurt Thomas - Assistant Coach - Mississippi State

Born: July 1, 1979
Birthplace: Hobbs, NM
College: Tennessee, 2004

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Kurt Thomas joined the Mississippi State staff in 2004 as a graduate assistant, and in 2005, was promoted to assistant coach. His primary responsibilities are coaching hurdlers, jumpers and women's sprints.

Prior to coming to Starkville, Thomas was a student assistant with the University of Tennessee men's program. Under Vince Anderson, he aided in the training and development of athletes, as well as meet and administration management. He was also a part of two Southeastern Conference championship teams and two NCAA national championship squads.

Thomas worked with numerous all-Americans and SEC champions in all events and worked with professional athletes, including world champion and Olympic gold medalist Justin Gatlin, Leonard Scott, Tom Pappas, Gary Kikaya, Jabari Greer and Stephan Harris.

Thomas also assisted with the UT Championship Track and Field Camp for three summers. He instructed athletes from ages 8-18 in areas of correct warm-up procedures, as well as instruction in sprints and sprint starts, long jump, basic track and field techniques and proper nutrition.

In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Thomas coached the Knoxville (Tenn.) Track Club. His primary area of interest was among 7-18 year olds competing in sprints, hurdles and relays. One of his athletes qualified for the Amateur Athletic Union national trials in the boys' 100-meter dash.

As an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico, Thomas scored at the Western Athletic Conference indoor meet in the 60-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay. He also participated in the WAC outdoor meet in the 100-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay.

As a high school athlete, Thomas was an all-State performer in the 4x100-, 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays at Hobbs (N.M.) High School. He was a three time all-District selection in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, 4x100-, 4x200- and 4x400-meter relays and district champion in all three relay events.

Thomas received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Tennessee in 2004, and is currently pursing a master's degree in kinesiology from Mississippi State. He has two USATF Level II certifications, the first in sprint, hurdles and relays and the second in combined events.