Bio

Thomas Reese was named the new wide receiver coach in July of 2018.

During Reese's first year with the Lions, he was also named Recruiting Coordinator and Special Teams Coordinator. 

Reese coached Craig Rucker during the 2018 & 19 campaigns that saw Rucker rack up several postseason accolades including two-time SAC Offensive Player of the Year, two-time AFCA First Team All-American, two-time D2Football.com First Team All-American, Don Hansen First Team All-American (2018) and Second Team All-American (2019), two-time D2CCA Second Team All-American, and two-time Harlon Hill trophy nominee, recognizing the best players in DII football. Rucker currently holds several SAC and MHU records.

Reese oversaw an offense in 2019 that led the South Atlantic Conference in total offense per game (430 ypg), total passing (3,367 yards), passing yards per game (306.1 ypg), and first downs per game (23.7).

Prior to joining Mars Hill, Reese was the running backs and tight ends coach at Valdosta High School.  In addition to those responsibilities, he also served as special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator and academic coordinator.  In his first year with Valdosta in 2016, Reese headed the tight end coaching role and special teams coordinator position, while helping lead the Wildcats to a GHSA AAAAAA State Championship.

Reese’s first foray into collegiate coaching took place in 2011 when he took the position of wide receiver coach at Guilford College.  While serving as wide receiver coach, he also took on the roles of special teams assistant, offensive video coordinator and travel coordinator.  During his three years at Guilford, Reese coached two First Team All-ODAC wide receivers in Ben King and Adam Smith.

For the 2014 season, he accepted the role of wide receiver coach and in 2015, the running backs coaching position at Valdosta State University, in addition to also being a special teams assistant and academic coordinator.  While at VSU, Reese coached All-American Running Back Cedric O’Neal.  During his time at Valdosta State, the team went 19-6 along with two appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Reese was a quarterback at Wingate University from 2007-10, earning his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.  In his final season at Wingate, he helped lead the Bulldogs to the South Atlantic Conference crown and an appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Continuing his education at Valdosta State University, Reese earned his master’s degree in Public Administration in 2016.

Reese will be residing in Mars Hill with wife, Sarah,  daughter, Kamden, and son, Reagan.