Cal Poly football has appointed Tavita Thompson as its new tight ends coach, according to head coach Tim Skipper.
Thompson joins Cal Poly after serving as the offensive line coach at Ohio University for the past season. During his tenure, the Bobcats achieved a 9-4 record and secured a victory over UNLV at the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. Two of his offensive linemen received All-MAC honors this year.
Before his time at Ohio University, Thompson spent seven years at Central Michigan, where he held various coaching positions. His roles included run game coordinator and offensive line coach, pass game coordinator and tight ends coach, and tackles and tight ends coach.
Thompson also worked for three seasons as a graduate assistant at Nebraska, focusing on tight ends Cethan Carter and Tyler Hoppes. Carter went on to play in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. Hoppes holds the record for most receptions by a Huskers tight end with 34 catches.
Earlier in his career, Thompson was part of coaching staffs at Oregon State from 2012 to 2014 and Pacific from 2011 to 2012.
As a player, Thompson competed as an offensive lineman for Oregon State from 2004 to 2008, contributing to four consecutive bowl wins and appearing in 18 games. He later played in two preseason games with the New York Jets in 2009 and spent the following year with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League.
Originally from Honolulu, Thompson earned his undergraduate degree in human development and family studies from Oregon State in 2008. He completed a master’s degree at Nebraska in 2016.
“Tavita brings a wealth of experience coaching multiple positions across successful programs,” said Tim Skipper. “His background will be valuable as we continue building our team.”
