Samuel Thomas grew up in St Louis, Missouri, and was a standout goalkeeper and soccer player at Principia College from 2008-11, as well as playing baseball from 2009-10 before he graduated in 2012. For soccer, he currently ranks first all-time in Wins (34) and Ties (10), Saves Per Game (4.81) and Games Played (70); third all-time in Shutouts (19) and Minutes Played (6,506); fourth all-time in Saves (337) and Goals Against Average (1.20). Thomas earned All-Conference accolades in all 4 seasons (2008-11), NCAA First-Team All-Region in 2009, and SLIAC Player of the Year in 2010.

For baseball, he currently holds single-season rankings from 2010 in first place for most Wins (9), Strikeouts Looking (33), Games Started (14), Innings Pitched (87.1), and Batters Faced (430); second in Strikeouts (71); third in Runners Picked Off (3); and also ranks top ten in Double Plays Turned (13) and Fielding Chances (225). Thomas earned the team Pitcher of the Year award in 2010. He became interested in coaching while in college, helping out with his younger brothers' soccer teams. Immediately after graduating college, he took his first college assistant job in the fall of 2012 at Oregon Institute of Technology (NAIA). 

Thomas is now entering his 11th year coaching college soccer and second at the helm for the Panthers. He has had 3 players earn SLIAC All-Conference awards as well as 3 SLIAC Player of the Week recipients. Principia was also the only team to score on Fontbonne in 2022 and Webster in 2023. 

Prior to Principia, Thomas spent 5 years assistant coaching at the Division I level with SIUE (2015-2017) and Old Dominion (2018-2019). In 2016, his SIUE team defeated #11 Notre Dame in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the OVC Title the week before. His ODU teams broke records each season (first defensive and then overall record). Thomas spent 2 seasons in 2020 & 2021 leading Division 2 Quincy through the COVID-affected seasons, including leading the GLVC in Goals & Points in 2021. 

Education

    BA, Principia College - Art, Graphic Design

    United Soccer Coaches - Advanced National License

    United Soccer Coaches - Goalkeeping License Level 3

    United States Soccer Federation - D License

Memberships and Affiliations

    United Soccer Coaches

    United States Soccer Federation

Curriculum Vitae

Samuel Thomas CV