Redlands football coaches honored

The All-American Football Foundation honored Head Coach Mike Maynard and Offensive Coordinator Jeff Thomas with individual awards at the 89th Banquet of Champions on December 20, 2007, in Las Vegas, NV.  Maynard received the Johnny Vaught Head Coach Award while Thomas earned the Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award for Small Colleges.

In 20 years at the helm of Bulldog football, Maynard owns an overall career mark of 121-62 and an 88-24 record against Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) foes.  His teams have won 10 conference championships while making five NCAA playoff appearances.  During the 2007 campaign, he led the Bulldogs to an 8-2 overall record with a 5-1 SCIAC mark, resulting in a share of the conference title and a spot at the NCAA Championships.

In 2005, Maynard was inducted into the Bulldog Bench Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame for his coaching success and contributions.  In 1999, the University of Redlands recognized Maynard for his involvement and leadership with the prestigious Frank J. Rice Memorial Award for Community Service.  After guiding Redlands to its first SCIAC title in 10 years and its first-ever postseason berth, Maynard was named the 1990 American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year.

“I join the All-American Football Foundation in applauding and recognizing Coach Maynard’s work as a head coach and educator,” commented Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez. “The University is fortunate to have him on staff as a faculty member and head coach, and it is outstanding that he has been recognized among his peers.”

Following a standout playing career at the University of Redlands, Thomas has served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs since 2003.  He became the Offensive Coordinator in 2007 and immediately made an impact.  Under his direction, the 2007 Bulldogs earned more than twice the number of points per game and nearly 75 more first downs than their opponents.  In addition, the Bulldogs established a new school record for total offense in a single game with 667 yards against Whittier College.

“In just his first season as the Offensive Coordinator, Coach Thomas did an excellent job of building and bringing our offense together,” stated Maynard.  “Redlands’ record-setting offense was a direct result of the expertise and hard work of Coach Thomas, the offensive coaching staff, and our amazing players.  It pleases me that he has received this recognition, which he so deserves.”

Thomas originally worked with the Redlands receivers and tight ends during the 2003 season.  He moved into a full-time assistant position in 2004 and coached the defensive backs and special teams.

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