Thomas has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 1981. Before being named interim head coach of the
Atlanta Falcons on December 12, 2007, after the resignation of
Bobby Petrino, Thomas was the Falcons' Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary Coach. After Petrino's sudden departure left the team in shambles, Thomas attempted to unite the Atlanta locker room, and was able to lead the Falcons to a season-ending victory over the
Seattle Seahawks. On January 24, 2008, new Falcons head coach
Mike Smith announced that Thomas would remain on staff as assistant head coach. Thomas was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with
Darrell Green and
Art Monk, two players he coached during Super Bowl runs with the
Washington Redskins. On January 13, 2010, his contract expired and was not renewed by the Falcons. On February 1, 2010, he was hired as the secondary coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. On February 12, 2019, Thomas announced his retirement from coaching.
Head coaching record •
Interim head coach. ==Personal life==