Clarence Thomas (American football) facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1945 |
| Died | February 20, 2011 (aged 65) |
| Playing career | |
| c. 1965 | Morgan State |
| Position(s) | Center, linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1972 | Morgan State (DL) |
| 1973 | Montgomery Blair HS (MD) |
| 1974–1975 | Bowie State |
| 1976–1977 | Williams (assistant) |
| 1978–1980 | Morgan State |
| 1982–1993 | Pomona-Pitzer |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 52–96–3 (college) |
| Tournaments | 0–1 (NCAA D-II playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| MEAC Coach of the Year (1979) | |
Clarence "Motts" Thomas (October 17, 1945 – February 20, 2011) was a well-known American football coach. He led college teams at Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and Pomona-Pitzer. Over his career, his teams won 52 games, lost 96, and tied 3. He also made history as the first African-American head football coach in Montgomery County.
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Clarence Thomas: A Football Journey
Clarence Thomas, known as "Motts," had a long career in American football. He was both a player and a coach. His journey showed his dedication to the sport.
Playing Days
Before becoming a coach, Thomas was a college football player. He played for the Morgan State team. He played two important positions: center and linebacker. A center snaps the ball to start a play. A linebacker is a defensive player who tackles opponents. He played under coach Earl Banks, who was a respected figure in football.
Starting His Coaching Journey
After his playing days, Thomas began his coaching career. In 1972, he returned to Morgan State. He worked as an assistant coach, helping with the defensive line. The defensive line tries to stop the other team from scoring.
The next year, in 1973, Thomas took on a new challenge. He became the head football coach at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. This was a very important step. He was the first African-American head football coach in all of Montgomery County. This showed his leadership and broke new ground.
Coaching College Teams
Clarence Thomas spent many years coaching college football. He led three different teams during his career.
Bowie State Bulldogs
From 1974 to 1975, Thomas was the head coach at Bowie State University. His teams did very well there. In 1975, the Bowie State Bulldogs had an impressive season. They won 9 games and lost only 1. This was a great achievement for the team.
Morgan State Bears
Thomas later returned to Morgan State University as head coach. He coached the Bears from 1978 to 1980. In 1979, his team had another strong season. They won 9 games and lost 2. This success earned him a special award. He was named the MEAC Coach of the Year. This award recognized him as the best coach in the conference that year.
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens
His longest coaching period was at Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont, California. He coached there from 1982 to 1993. This was a long commitment to one team. He helped guide many young athletes during these years.
A Legacy in Football
Clarence "Motts" Thomas passed away on February 20, 2011. He left behind a legacy in American football. He was known for his dedication as a player and a coach. He also made history by breaking barriers in coaching. His career showed his love for the game and his impact on young players.
