SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento native Brandyn Thompson will return to his hometown as he was named the cornerbacks coach at Sacramento State, it was announced today by head coach Andy Thompson. With the hiring of Brandyn Thompson, Cherokee Valeria will shift from cornerbacks to safeties and continue to serve as the team's defensive passing game coordinator.

"I'm excited to bring one of Sacramento's best back to the area," Andy Thompson said. "Brandyn's expertise in the secondary and work with the youth of Sacramento will benefit us in many ways. I can't wait to get to work with him."

Thompson most recently served as the cornerbacks coach at Cal Poly during the 2023 season. With the Mustangs, he coached Donovan Saunders to second team all-Big Sky honors. Saunders finished the season ranked third in the conference with three interceptions and led the team with 11 pass breakups. One of Saunders' interceptions came in the game against the Hornets.

"This is a move I have thought about for a long time and is a natural progression," Brandyn Thompson said. "I have poured a lot into Sacramento — a city which has given me so much — and this is a great honor. The team and coaching staff has a great culture and I look forward to get started."

Before accepting his first NCAA Div. I coaching job at Cal Poly, Thompson spent six years at the executive director at DB Select where he trained and mentored some of the top defensive backs in the Sacramento area. Thompson also served as the defensive backs coach at Sacramento City College in 2022 on the staff of former Hornet Dannie Walker.

Thompson played football at Boise State from 2007-10, earning 146 total tackles (95 solo) with seven for loss in 48 games. He also made 13 interceptions in his Bronco career, returning one for a touchdown in his junior season, and earned Academic All-America and all-Western Athletic Conference honors. During his career, Boise State posted a 47-5 overall record.

He was selected by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Following two season, he moved to the CFL where he had stints with the Ottawa RedBlacks (2014-15) and Edmonton Eskimos (now Elks) (2016-17). He recorded eight interceptions in the CFL and helped Ottawa reach the Grey Cup in 2015. Thompson played 19 games for the Eskimos in two seasons, recording 45 defensive tackles and one fumble return for a touchdown, adding three defensive tackles in two playoff games.

Thompson graduated from Franklin High School in Elk Grove in 2007, lettering in football, basketball and track. In football, he was an all-league and all-area defensive back and wide receiver.