New Orleans Saints associate head coach/running backs coach Joel Thomas and Philadelphia Eagles senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach Clint Hurtt will serve as head coaches for the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, the all-star event announced Friday.
Joel Thomas, Clint Hurtt Take Charge at Senior Bowl
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Panini Senior Bowl has embraced a “Coach Up” format, allowing NFL coordinators and assistant coaches to take on expanded leadership roles during this pre-draft staple.
According to a Senior Bowl press release, head coaches and general managers from non-playoff teams and Wild Card participants submitted nominations, and final selections were made by NFL league office executives in conjunction with the General Managers Advisory Committee.
“We are thrilled to welcome Clint Hurtt and Joel Thomas as our head coaches for the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl,” said Drew Fabianich, Panini Senior Bowl Executive Director.
“Both coaches are highly respected throughout the league and bring tremendous leadership, football knowledge, and teaching ability. Their impact on our players and coaching staffs throughout the week will be invaluable as these prospects prepare for the next step in their careers.”
Thomas, who served as the American Team’s offensive coordinator in 2025, will take the helm of the American squad, while Hurtt is slated to lead the National Team.
Following his second season in Philadelphia, Hurtt brings the Senior Bowl over two decades of coaching experience at both the collegiate and NFL level, including three seasons with the Chicago Bears and seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (two as defensive coordinator).
Meanwhile, Thomas returned to New Orleans in 2025 as the Saints’ associate head coach, having previously spent nine seasons with the franchise (2015-2023) as running backs coach. A standout running back himself at the University of Idaho, he was also a two-time first-team All-Big West selection and the 1998 Big West Player of the Year.
“I had a great experience in Mobile in 2025 as the American Team offensive coordinator and look forward to getting to know and work with these outstanding young men throughout the week in making this a great experience for them,” Thomas stated.
The Panini Senior Bowl, a historic showcase held in Mobile, Ala., for more than 75 years, will kick off Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m. ET at South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The game offers an in-depth look at many of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and will air live on NFL Network and SiriusXM, with all three days of practice also televised across NFL Network, SiriusXM, and ESPN.
