Justin Thomas is entering his third season as the pitching coach of the Jackson State Tigers Baseball Team. Thomas was named pitching coach for Jackson State baseball in August 2023.
In his first season as pitching coach, the Tigers reached the SWAC championship game, finished second in the SWAC in era (5.56), second in strikeouts (426), and second in opponent batting average along with a second team all-SWAC performer in Christian Womble. In year two, the Tigers pitching staff ranked second in the SWAC in era (5.45), second in strikeouts (435), and first in opponent batting average (.262). The Tiger’s pitching staff was also home to First-Team All-SWAC Performer Eric Elliott who was also named 2025 SWAC Pitcher of the Year.
In the summer of 2025, Thomas served as the pitching coach for the Appalachian League Champion Bluefield RidgeRunners.
Thomas came to JSU after spending the previous five seasons as Head Baseball Coach at Bethany College (NCAA Division III) in West Virginia, leading the Bison to 84 wins during his tenure. Bethany tied a school-record with 27 wins in 2019, finishing as the runners-up in the conference.
Thomas brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Tigers' program. In addition to his stint at Bethany, he served as pitching coach for the 2022 MLB Draft League Champion West Virginia Blackbears. Thomas served as player development coach with the Elizabethton RiverRiders in the Appalachian League in the summer of 2021.
Before coming to Bethany College, Thomas spent four years as head coach at Voorhees College (NAIA) in Denmark, S.C. His 2017 team posted a 20-win season, which at the time was the program's best mark in 15 years. From 2012-2014, Thomas served as Penn-State University – Greater Allegheny pitching coach, helping the program to a pair of conference championships and a national runner-up finish in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
A former assistant coach in the high school ranks at Ambridge Area High School (Pa.), Thomas has also spent summers coaching in leagues such as, Cal Ripken Collegiate League, NYCBL, Prospect League, Ohio Valley Collegiate League, Myrtle Beach Collegiate League and Carolina- Virginia Collegiate League.
Thomas pitched collegiately at Slippery Rock University, where he earned his Bachelor degree in social work, before graduating from the United States Sports Academy with a dual Master’s degree in Sport Management and Sport Coaching. Thomas also has a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Certification, Rapsodo Hitting & Pitching Certifications, and Driveline Biomechanics & Pitching Analytic 101 Certifications.
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