by Alan Babbitt
Hunter Thompson is eager to make a big push for Hope College Football.
This summer, the MIAA co-champion Flying Dutchmen's offensive line coach will join the staff full-time as he adds the title of recruiting coordinator.
Head coach Peter Stuursma is thrilled to have Thompson — a former NCAA Division II offensive lineman at Ferris State University — expand his role on Hope's coaching staff.
"Hunter, in one short year, has made a huge impact on our offense. He really brings a lot to our staff," Stuursma said. "He's got great ideas. He wants to expand our platform in recruiting. I'm excited about the energy and excitement he brings to the position. He's innovative.
"He loves our guys and has a lot of fun with them; they love him. That means those high school recruits are really going to resonate with his experience, but also the energy and juice he brings with everything."
Last fall, Thompson worked with offensive coordinator Andrew Hawken and coached three All-MIAA linemen at Hope, including first team tackles Brady Eding and Luke Marsh and second-team guard Dylan Clem.
The Flying Dutchmen finished with an 8-2 overall record. It was Hope's fourth consecutive season with at least eight wins.
"I'm extremely appreciative of Coach Stuurs and Coach Hawk and everybody that's been with me the past year," Thompson said. "I'm extremely excited, ready to continue to work. I'm extremely blessed to be at Hope."
Thompson is looking forward to developing relationships with high school recruits, their families and coaches across the Midwest and the United States.
"I want to show the recruits and their families what Hope brings and what Hope will mean to them when they do end up coming here," Thompson said. "Everybody here has a genuine love for Hope. They love being here. I don't know that I've been around a group of people that have been so genuine and nice toward everybody."
Prior to Hope, Thompson spent three seasons as the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator at Jenison High School. He helped the Wildcats make the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs in the spring of 2021 and the fall of 2019. He teaches junior high mathematics at Jenison.
In 2017, Thompson coached as a graduate assistant coach at Ferris State University, his alma mater. He coached the offensive line. The Bulldogs finished the season 11-2 and reached the NCAA Division II Super 3 Regional championship game.
"Hunter is a rising star in the coaching profession," said Ferris State head coach Tony Annese, who guided the Bulldogs to a Division II national championship last season. "I knew when he worked for Ferris State as a graduate assistant that he would become a great coach. His passion for the game, and his attention to detail is elite. I'm very proud of him. I know he will do a great job serving young people at Hope College."
A native of McBain, Michigan, Thompson played on the offensive line for Ferris State for five seasons from 2012-2016. The Bulldogs posted a 49-12 record, made the Division II playoffs three times, and won two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles during his time as a student-athlete. In 2016, Ferris State advanced to the national semifinals.
Thompson graduated from Ferris State in 2017 with a degree in mathematics education. He minored in physical education at Ferris.
