Zach Thomas

Zach Thomas has been a member of the coaching staff at Christopher Newport since the fall of 2013 and was promoted to Assistant Head Coach in 2023. During his work with the Captains, he has continued to solidify his reputation as one of the top offensive minds in the country.
 
Since arriving at CNU, he has helped the Captains establish a new benchmark for success. During his time with the program, Thomas has helped Christopher Newport register at least 10 victories in each full season while advancing to seven NCAA Tournaments, including three Elite Eight appearances and a pair of Final Four berths in 2021 and 2023.
 
For his work on the sidelines, he was celebrated as a member of the IMLCA Region 3 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021 and 2022 while earning the conference honor during the latter season.
 
In addition to setting a new standard for wins, Thomas has also guided a record-setting offensive attack. Incredibly, the school’s top-10 single-season goal outputs have all come under Thomas’ watch. The program’s high watermark came in 2022 when the Captains averaged 19.10 goals per game, which stood as the fourth-highest rate in the NCAA. The squad also ranked in the top-25 in scoring in 2020, 2023, and 2025.
 
Under Thomas’ guidance, 25 players have earned All-American accolades, including Dylan Rice and Andrew Cook, who were honored as the IMLCA Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Kevin Miller also secured first-team plaudits in 2025 after leading the NCAA with 115 points, while Jamie Smith picked up national honors during the same year after ranking first in the country with 84 goals.
 
Aided by the electric attack, Christopher Newport boasts a 161-56 record since Thomas arrived in town. During that time, the Captains have spent five weeks ranked first in the USILA National Coaches Poll while posting 30 wins against top-20 opponents, including victories over No. 1 Salisbury in 2022 and No. 1 RIT in 2023.
 
Before arriving in Newport News, Thomas served on the coaching staff at Roanoke from 2010-13. During his time on the sidelines, he helped coordinate scouting and recruiting and was promoted to head assistant coach in 2011. While overseeing an offensive attack that ranked among the top-five nationally, he helped the Maroons make a run to the National Semifinals in 2011.
 
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Thomas was a two-time All-American at Roanoke, including a first-team selection in 2009. He helped lead the Maroons to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Final Fours in 2005 and 2006. A three-time All-Conference selection, he left the program ranked in the top-five in career points and goals before earning a spot in the Roanoke Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.