Aki Thomas

Aki Thomas
Sport(s) Basketball
Current position
Title Head coach
Team UMBC
Biographical details
Born May 14, 1979
New York City, New York
Playing career
1997–2000
2001–2002
Colorado
Howard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2004–2007
2007–2012
2012–present
Howard (asst.)
UMBC (asst.)
UMBC

Aki Thomas (born May 14, 1979) is the head coach of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers men's basketball team.[1] He replaced Randy Monroe, who resigned just two days before the start of the 2012-13 season.

Biography

Playing career

Thomas played three seasons at the University of Colorado, where he was a part of two NIT squads for the Buffaloes. For his final season of eligibility, Thomas transferred to Howard University, where he was named to the MEAC Second Team All-Conference after averaging 12 points per game along with 8 rebounds a contest, helping the Bison to an 18-13 record.

After graduation, Thomas spent two years playing professionally in Venezuela.

Coaching career

After playing pro ball, Thomas joined the coaching staff at Howard in 2004 under Frankie Allen. In 2007, he joined the staff at UMBC, where he was a part of the Retrievers' 2008 America East Championship season and appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Just two days before the 2012-13 season, Thomas was named the acting head coach of UMBC after Randy Monroe was relieved of his duties.[2] Thomas led the Retrievers to a 7-22 record and 8th place finish in the America East Conference. The seven wins were the most for the program since the 2008-09 season. On March 4, 2013, the interim title was removed and Thomas was named the permanent head coach.[3]

Head coaching record

College

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
UMBC (America East Conference) (2012–present)
2012–13 UMBC 8–23 5–11 8th
2013–14 UMBC 9–21 5–11 6th
2014–15 UMBC 4–26 2–14 T–8th
UMBC: 21–67 (.239) 12–36 (.250)
Total: 21–67 (.239)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References