Former Navy RB Marcus Thomas Joining UCLA Coaching Staff, Per Report

In their first season as a member of the Big Ten, UCLA looks to be adding a former Naval Academy running back to DeShaun Foster's first coaching staff. 

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Friday afternoon that Marcus Thomas will become the Bruins' next running backs coach. Thomas was hired at San José State earlier this offseason for Ken Niumatalolo's staff after two seasons at his alma mater.

RELATED: Former Ohio State QBs Coach Joins Tulsa Staff

This will be Thomas' second stint on the UCLA staff after spending three seasons on Chip Kelly's staff from 2019 to 2021. He served as an offensive analyst and Director of Strategic Intelligence.

Thomas joined the Navy staff in 2022 as director of player personnel and spent 2023 as the Midshipmen's slot backs coach.

The Baton Rouge native graduated from the Naval Academy in 2014, then spent five years in the United States Marine Corps. 

Thomas is still's Navy's all-time leader in kick return yardage (2,338). He garnered 762 yards from scrimmage with the Midshipmen and two touchdowns. His graduating class beat Army in all four of his varsity seasons.