Jan. 13, 2003

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois head football coach Ron Turner announced today the hiring of Bowling Green assistant Tommy Thigpen to the position of cornerbacks coach.

"I am excited about the energy level that Tommy (Thigpen) brings to the job," Turner said. "He is an intense coach and an outstanding recruiter. He will be a great motivator for these young cornerbacks."

The hiring by Turner allows former safeties coach Mike Mallory to coach the linebackers, a position he was a four-year letterman at during his playing career at Michigan, while defensive coordinator and former cornerbacks coach Mike Cassity will now lead the safeties.

Thigpen spent the last two seasons as cornerbacks coach for the Falcons and was promoted to special teams coordinator following the 2001 season. Thigpen helped shape Bowling Green into one of the Mid-American Conference's top defenses last season, guiding the Falcons to a second place MAC finish in pass efficiency defense while creating 27 turnovers to lead the MAC in turnover margin. Last season, the Falcons intercepted 12 passes led by 2001 All-MAC cornerback Janssen Patton, who picked off three.

Thigpen's special teams were also outstanding blocking eight kicks, seven of which were punts, and a potential game winning field goal attempt by Western Michigan to preserve BGSU's early undefeated season.

Prior to his stint at Bowling Green, Thigpen spent one season as linebackers coach at Tennessee State and two seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, North Carolina, where he played for and coached with current Illini assistant Donnie Thompson.

A former Parade All-American at Potomac High School in Dumfries, Va., Thigpen was a three-time All-ACC performer for the Tar Heels at linebacker, earning All-America accolades as a senior. Thigpen wrapped up his playing career after spending the 1993-94 seasons as a member of the New York Giants and the 1995-96 seasons as a member of the Barcelona Dragons. Thigpen, 31, earned his bachelor's degree in political science from North Carolina in 1994.