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= Chris Thompson =

Christopher Todd Thompson (born August 27, 1978) is an American football coach and the current Offensive Coordinator and Director of Football Operations for the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League. Thompson was part of an expansion team that finished its inaugural season in first place at 8-4 and the #1 seed in playoffs. Prior to this, Thompson held a position as Head Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Offensive Coordinator for Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Professional Arena Football.

Early life
Born in Manheim, Pennsylvania, Thompson attended Manheim Central High School. Upon graduation in 1997, he attended Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania on a football scholarship. Thompson graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and in April 2017 he was inducted into the Manheim Central High School Hall of Fame.

Lebanon Valley College (NCAA Division III)
From 2004-2005, Thompson was the Assistant Football Coach and Quarterback Coach at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. There, he worked closely with Head Coach Jim Monos, the quarterback, and wide receivers to implement a new offense and rebuild the Division III football program that hadn’t had more than 4 wins in 10 years. That season, the team won 4 games and quarterback Dan Kelly went on to become one of the all-time best quarterbacks to ever play at LVC.

Alvernia University (NCAA Division III)
After spending time in the Arena Football League, Thompson returning to the collegiate football scene from July to December 2017, helping start the NCAA Division III football program at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Reading Express (IFL, AIL)
Thompson began his arena football coaching career in August of 2007 as the Head Football Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Offensive Coordinator for the Reading Express Professional Indoor/Arena Football team in Reading, Pennsylvania. During his tenure with the organization, Thompson guided the team to the 2009 AIF Bowl III Championship, two conference championships, and five division championships.

Philadelphia Soul (AFL)
In 2011, Thompson spent a season as the Manager of Football Programs for the Philadelphia Soul Arena Football team, where he worked with the front office in the group sales department, acting as a liaison for youth sports fundraising programs and non-profit organizations. Thompson also assisted with camps and clinics for youth sports teams.

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (NAL, AIF, PIFL, IFL)
Thompson’s career continued with a 6-year stint as the Head Coach, Assistant General Manager, and Offensive Coordinator of the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Professional Arena Football team in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Under his guidance, the team made 6-straight playoff appearances in four different leagues (2012-2017) and 5-straight winning seasons. In 2014, he guided the team to the Professional Indoor Football League National Conference Championship. In 2017, he was named the NAL (National Arena League) Coach of the Year and was part of the front office that was awarded NAL Franchise of the Year. The same year, he coached the NAL MVP, Most Improved Player of the Year, and the #1 Total Offense in the NAL/PIFL, which averaged more than 55 points per game and scored 60 or more points in 6 games. The offense of the 2017 season set a franchise record 96 points during a game, breaking the previous record of 86 points that stood for 5 years prior.

Albany Empire (AFL)
Thompson left the Steelhawks in December of 2017 to become the Offensive Coordinator and Director of Football Operations for Albany Empire’s inaugural season in the AFL. All the team’s home games were played at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, where the franchise led the league average in attendance of more than 10,000 fans per game. During its inaugural season, the team finished in first place at 8-4, was the #1 seed in playoffs, and had the top-rated passer and two top-rated wide receivers. Thompson coached the 2018 AFL MVP, 2018 Offensive Player of the Year, and 2018 Rookie of the Year. The team had a league-high 11 players make 1st or 2nd Team All-AFL, with 5 offensive players making 1st team.

National Bowl Games
Every December since 2012, Thompson has been selected as the Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for one of the National Bowl and FCS National Bowl teams in Florida. Thompson has recruited and coached players for these games including: quarterback Bryan Randall, wide receiver Tyrone Collins, Tom Gilson, Troy Pascley, Toriel Gibson, Collin Taylor, Dwayne Hollis, Joe Powell, Larry Ford, Brian Brikowski, Travis Miller, and Mike Simons. Thompson is currently on a 3-game winning streak, despite having coached against 16-year NFL veteran Mike Stock of the Green Bay Packers each year.

Personal Life
Thompson currently lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania with his wife LeeAnn and their three children: daughter Haley and sons Kellen and Julian.