Steve Thames is in his second season as the Scarlet Knights’ assistant running backs coach in 2025. A Prince George's County, Maryland, native, Thames spent the previous four years (2020-23) at Georgetown, serving as pass game coordinator, wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator and director of player personnel.
Working with running backs coach Damiere Shaw, a Broyles Award nominee, Thames was part of an offensive staff that saw Rutgers average 28.9 points per game in 2024, the team’s best mark in the Big Ten era. Led by All-American, First Team All-Big Ten honoree and 1,000-yard rusher RB Kyle Monangai, the Scarlet Knights ran for 2,279 yards, the 10th-highest mark for a season in program history. The 175.3 rushing yards per game ranked third in the Big Ten for the team's best placement since joining the league.
Overall, the running back position group had no fumbles for the season, as RB Antwan Raymond scored eight rushing touchdowns, the most in a season for a Rutgers true freshman in program history and second-most nationally among Power Four true freshmen. He totaled 457 rushing yards overall to lead all Big Ten true freshmen and rank fifth among Power Four players in his class in 2024.
In 2023 with the Hoyas, Thames helped both WR Jimmy Kibble and WR Nicholas Dunneman earn Second Team All-Patriot League honors. Kibble posted eight receiving touchdowns, including a program-record 95-yard score against Bucknell.
Thames was instrumental in the development of Joshua Tomas, who became the single-season leader in Georgetown history with 1,231 receiving yards in 2022. Tomas became the first player in program history to hit 100 receptions for the season and previously was named First Team All-Patriot League in 2021.
Prior to his stint with the Hoyas, Thames spent two seasons at Fordham working with the defensive backs, outside linebackers, and returners (2019) and the defensive secondary (2018). The Rams ranked second in the Patriot League in kickoff returns in 2019, averaging 20.9 yards per return. In 2018, Thames helped mentor Dylan Mabin, who was an All-Patriot League selection and went on to play for the Oakland Raiders. Linebackers Glenn Cunningham and Ryan Greenhagen were both named to the All-Patriot League First Team in 2019.
Thames spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons coaching at Dartmouth, working with running backs and returners (2017) and wide receivers (2016). The Big Green finished 2017 ranked third in the Ivy League in rushing, averaging 180.0 yards per game. Thames helped mentor All-Ivy League selection Ryder Stone, who went on to be selected by the Montreal Allouettes in the Canadian Football League. In 2016, Thames helped coach Ivy League Rookie of the Year selection Hunter Hagdorn as a wide receiver.
Thames broke into collegiate coaching in 2015 as defensive intern on the James Madison coaching staff, working with the secondary and helping the Dukes to a share of the Colonial Athletic Association crown. There he helped mentor future Green Bay Packers safety Raven Greene.
As a player, Thames was a four-year contributor at defensive back for New Hampshire. He totaled 122 tackles, seven interceptions and three pick-sixes in 46 games, helping the team win the CAA twice and earn a berth to the FCS playoffs each season. Thames capped his career picking All-CAA honors in 2014 and earning a bachelor's degree in 2015.
