Florida A&M football's defense will now be under the leadership of Kenwick Thompson.
On Tuesday, Rattlers head coach James Colzie III announced Thompson's hire as FAMU's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Thompson replaces former FAMU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Milton Patterson , who departed to become a defensive assistant for new New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel this January.
"I am honored to be a part of a rich history of excellence on and off the field," Thompson said in a released statement.
"I'm excited to get to work to contribute to that rich history. I want to thank Coach Colzie for this outstanding opportunity to work with these great young men."
Thompson last worked on the Football Bowl Subdivision level as UAB's assistant head coach and linebackers coach under Trent Dilfer. Thompson spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Blazers .
FAMU's new defensive coordinator also worked at UNLV, Fresno State, East Carolina , Vanderbilt, San Jose State, California, and Texas Southern. Thompson's last role as a defensive coordinator was in 2016, when he worked on East Carolina's Staff.
Thompson spent the summer of 2000 with the Oakland Raiders as an NFL Minority Coaching Fellow. Thompson obtained his undergraduate degree from Harding University in Arkansas, where he was an all-conference defensive end for the football team.
"When searching for our defensive coordinator, it was important to bring a coach in who had successful coordinating experience but also a bonafide linebackers coach," Colzie said.
"Coach 'Wick' checks both of those boxes. He's had success at the FBS and FCS levels. I wanted new systems in place for our Dark Cloud Defense, and it's here."
FAMU football will have its ninth spring football practice on Thursday, featuring its scrimmage game of camp.
The Rattlers' Orange and Green Spring Game is on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 12, at 4 p.m.
FAMU will open its 2025 football season on Saturday, Aug. 30, for a Labor Day Weekend showdown versus the Howard Bison in the Orange Blossom Classic at Miami 's Hard Rock Stadium.
James Colzie III, Head Coach/Cornerbacks Coach
Kenwick Thompson, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Kevin Weston, Special Teams Coordinator/Nickelbacks Coach
Chris St. John, Defensive Ends Coach
Thursday, April 3 ― Scrimmage
Friday, April 4
Tuesday, April 8
Thursday, April 10
Saturday, April 12 ― Orange and Green Spring Game
Monday, April 14
Wednesday, April 16
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Kenwick Thompson hired as FAMU football's new defensive coordinator
