UT Vols assistant coach Tommy Thigpen named recruiter of the year by Rivals.com

photo Tennessee assistant coach Tommy Thigpen talks with the media at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex in Knoxville.

KNOXVILLE - It took a total team effort by Tennessee's football coaching staff to secure one of the nation's highest-rated recruiting classes, but Tommy Thigpen still did enough to stand out.

The Volunteers linebackers coach was named the national recruiter of the year by Rivals.com on Monday for his part in helping Tennessee finish fifth in the recruiting service's class rankings.

"It means a ton to me and I'm deeply appreciative," Thigpen told Rivals. "Tennessee is a great institution and we were able to recruit some high-character young men who never wavered on their commitment. [Head coach] Butch Jones has been fantastic for the university and the program. Tennessee will thrive under his direction and leadership."

The Vols' 2014 signing class thrived thanks in great part to Thigpen.

The former North Carolina, Illinois and Auburn assistant was instrumental in Middle Tennessee, from which the Vols signed eight players, and helped secure a crop of linebackers that included four players rated as four-star recruits by at least one recruiting service.

In the first year of a two-year contract, Thigpen made $345,000, which made him the fifth-highest paid assistant on Jones' staff. Offensive and defensive coordinators Mike Bajakian and John Jancek made $475,000 each, defensive line coach and assistant head coach Steve Stripling earned $380,000, and offensive line coach Don Mahoney got $350,000.

After a strong year on the recruiting trail, though, Thigpen, whose named was linked to assistant openings at Ohio State and Georgia, could be in line for a raise and/or extension.

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.

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