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Rice University Athletics
Bailiff Formally Announces Additions to Coaching Staff
2/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 22, 2011
Rice head football coach David Bailiff formally announced on Tuesday that Derrick Jackson, Billy Lynch and Chris Thurmond have joined his coaching staff. Jackson will coach the Owls defensive linemen, Lynch the wide receivers and Thurmond the cornerbacks.
"These are three fine football coaches who will be great additions to our staff," Bailiff said. "They are coaches who can come in and help us right away to build on the momentum we build that we had at the end of last season."
Jackson brings 10 years of experience to Rice coaching defensive linemen, as well as one season at Syracuse as the co-defensive coordinator. While at Syracuse, he oversaw the development of Walter Jones into an NFL draft pick. A four-year starter at safety at Duke before graduating in 1993, Jackson spent six years working in the private sector before joining the coaching ranks in 1999 at the University of West Georgia. He coached the defensive line at Army (2001-02), Eastern Illinois (2003-04), Northern Illinois (2005); Michigan State (2006); Syracuse (2007-09) and Akron (2010).
"Derrick Jackson is a graduate of Duke and knows what it takes to excel both on the field and in the classroom," Bailiff said. "He has a beautiful resume and brings a great expertise developing some standout defensive linemen. "
Lynch spent the last six seasons as the wide receivers coach at Indiana, where he developed some of the top receivers in Hoosiers' history, including All American James Hardy and All Big Ten selection Tandon Doss. In 2010 his top three receivers, Damarlo Belcher (78 catches, 832 yards, 4 touchdowns), Terrance Turner (67, 681, 3) and Doss (63 catches, 706 yards, 7 touchdowns) topped 60 catches and 700 yards receiving and the unit set a school record with 3,446 total yard. He was a three-year letterman in both football and basketball at Ball State University, where he graduated in 2002.
"Billy Lynch did a great job developing the receivers at Indiana," Bailiff noted. "All you have to do is look at the consistent numbers they put up over his six years there. When you look at the fact that he lettered three times in both football and basketball, it tells you all you need to know about the energy he brings to the staff."
Thurmond spent the last three years coaching the secondary at Kentucky, and is no stranger to the Houston area, having coached the corners as well as serve as recruiting coordinator at the University of Houston from 2006-07. He also served as the Cougars' interim head coach for the 2007 Texas Bowl after Art Briles took the job at Baylor. During his time at Kentucky, Thurmond developed Trevard Lindley into an All American and saw three of his corners sign with NFL teams. He has coached defensive backs for 27 seasons at the collegiate level, with stints at Tulsa (twice), East Carolina, TCU (twice), Oklahoma, Alabama and Texas A&M. Thurmond has seen one of his former pupils from his time on the Alabama staff play on the winning side in the last three Super Bowls (Anthony Madison-Pittsburgh; Roman Harper-New Orleans; Charlie Peprah-Green Bay).
"Chris Thurmond has produced great cornerbacks at every stop in his career. As a recruiter, he knows this state and the Houston area. He knows what Rice has to offer and he's excited to be a part of our effort as we move forward."
The Owls will wrap up their winter conditioning program this week with the annual Night of the Iron Owl weightlifting exhibition on Wednesday at 6:30 in Fox Gym. After a week off for Rice's Spring Break recess, the Bailiff and his new staff will welcome the Owls for the start of Spring Practice on Tuesday, March 7. Drills will conclude on April 9 with the annual spring game.
