NCCU FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES COACHING STAFF CHANGES
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) head football coach Trei Oliver has announced changes to his coaching staff for the 2026 season, bringing in five new coaches to bolster the programme. These additions aim to build on the Eagles’ recent success and prepare for future competition.
Staff Additions
Chris Barnette joins NCCU as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. He previously served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama State for two years, where the Hornets averaged over 42 points and 462 yards of total offence per game in 2025. Barnette’s experience also includes coaching wide receivers at South Carolina State, as well as positions at Winston–Salem State and North Carolina A&. T State.
Tommy Thigpen will take on the role of defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Thigpen is a former linebacker who played for the New York Giants and the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. His collegiate coaching experience includes positions at North Carolina, Tennessee, Auburn, Illinois, and Bowling Green, most recently serving as linebackers coach for the Arlington Renegades in the UFL in 2025.
Grayson Reed will coach the offensive line, building on a unit that helped NCCU lead the MEAC in scoring offence (33.8 points per game) and limit sacks allowed in 2025. Reed comes to Durham from the University of Southern California (USC), where he worked with the offensive line, and previously coached at his alma mater, Texas A&M University, for three seasons.
Elijah Coleman will coach cornerbacks and serve as recruiting coordinator. He arrives from Howard University, where he was cornerbacks coach in 2025 after serving as a quality control coach in 2023, a season in which Howard won the MEAC title and advanced to the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Omar Beasley will join the staff as Director of Speed Development. An NCCU alum and former track standout, Beasley has over 30 years of coaching experience and is known for his data-driven approach to sprint and performance training. He most recently served as an assistant track & field coach at North Carolina Wesleyan University and previously directed the track & field programme at Hillside High School in Durham.
Looking Ahead
With these changes, NCCU’s football programme could see continued growth and improvement. The experience brought by these coaches may translate to enhanced player development and strategic advantages on the field. It remains to be seen how these additions will impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season, but the coaching staff appears poised to build on their 45-25 record under Coach Oliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator?
Chris Barnette is the new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, coming from Alabama State.
What was Tommy Thigpen’s role with the Arlington Renegades?
Tommy Thigpen was the linebackers coach for the Arlington Renegades in the UFL in 2025.
Where did Grayson Reed coach before joining NCCU?
Grayson Reed was an offensive assistant for the University of Southern California (USC) before joining NCCU.
As NCCU prepares for the future, how might these coaching changes influence the team’s competitive edge within the MEAC?