Sacramento native Brandyn Thompson returned to his hometown and was named the cornerbacks coach at Sacramento State in May 2024.
In his first season with the team, Thompson's cornerbacks were led by Zelmar Vedder who had 44 total tackles to rank sixth on the team. Vedder was also one of only two Hornets to have an interception, force a fumble and recover a fumble during the year. Elias Mullican also provided a highlight during the year with a pair of interceptions at East Texas A&M, including a 35-yard touchdown return.Â
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.
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.
Thompson and his wife are the parents to two children.
