Auburn High School names Kevin Thomson as new football coach
Published 1:30 am Friday, January 16, 2026
The search for a head football coach is over for Auburn High School as the Trojans announced Kevin Thomson will take over the program following Aaron Chantler’s resignation in November.
Thomson comes to the green and gold from Eastside Catholic where he was the quarterback coach for the Crusaders. Thomson graduated from Auburn Riverside back in 2014, and played college football at three division one universities.
“Auburn High School is thrilled about what Coach Thomson brings to Auburn High School and we are looking forward to many successful seasons of Trojan Football to come under Coach Thomson’s leadership. Returning Auburn High School players will get to meet Coach Thomson at an on campus meeting the week of Jan. 26,” Auburn Athletic Director Jon Price said in a press release.
He began his career at UNLV before transferring to Sacramento State University and eventually the University of Washington.
At Auburn Riverside, Thomson threw for 2,132 yards and 24 touchdowns and was named first team all-SPSL.
Thomson played the majority of his college career at Sacramento State playing in 27 games. From 2017-19, he threw for 6,424 yards and 52 touchdowns. He amassed over 1,000 rushing yards (1,247) and 21 touchdowns on the ground over his three years as quarterback.
In 2019, he was the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference. He was third in the Walter Payton Award voting and helped take Sac State to its first FCS playoff berth in school history.
He was a three time Academic All-Big Sky selection and a HERO Sports First Team All-American in 2019, and an AP Third Team All-American in 2019, as well.
Thomson doesn’t lack football playing experience, as he went and played in the Canadian Football League for the BC Lions (2020-21) before moving back to the states to play for the Philadelphia Stars in 2022. The Stars later folded as the USFL and XFL merged in 2024.
Most recently Thomson was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back in the CFL in January 2024, before being released on Aug. 12, 2024.
