Dennis Thurman

Education

He is the older brother of Ulysses "Junior" Thurman who also attended Santa Monica High (1981) and went on to play college football at the University of Southern California and play in the National Football League (NFL).

Career

Before becoming a coach, he played cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and Saint Louis Cardinals for nine seasons in the 1970s and 1980s. Thurman played high school football at Santa Monica High School where he was a quarterback and defensive back and was a part of three CIF Division I championship teams that combined to go 39-1-1. Thurman played for John McKay and later for John Robinson and was teammates with Ronnie Lott while at University of Southern California while Lott was an underclassmen.

Lott credits Thurman for his development as a player in his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech stating Thurman was someone who "helped me become a better football player."

In his Trojan career, he had 13 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and led the Pac-10 Conference in interceptions with eight in 1976.

Thurman also had 169 career tackles, 11 pass deflections and four fumble recoveries. He played in the 1978 Senior Bowl and was a 1977 Playboy Pre-Season All-American.

He led University of Southern California in interceptions in 1976 (eight, tops in the Pac-8) and led University of Southern California in punt returns in 1976 (68 yards). Thurman is tied for sixth on University of Southern California"s career interception list (13, including two intercepted fumbles).

Dallas Cowboys

Thurman a fifth-year player from University of Southern California, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1978 NFL Draft, and although his experience was at safety, he originally made the team as a cornerback.

He played in Super Bowl XIII in 1979 and recovered an onside kick. The next year Charlie Waters retired and cornerback Benny Barnes, was moved to strong safety, so Thurman was pressed into starting at cornerback, registering 9 interceptions and making his only Pro Bowl. Thurman had three interceptions, including a 39-yard return for touchdown to clinch a victory at Texas Stadium, in the 1982 NFL playoffs second round against the Green Bay Packers.

During the 1985 season quarterback Danny White nicknamed Thurman along with fellow safety Michael Downs and cornerbacks Everson Walls, Ron Fellows, "Thurman"s Thieves", for their opportunistic play in the secondary.

He was waived on August 26, 1986. Saint Louis Cardinals

On August 28, 1986, he was claimed off waivers by the Saint Louis Cardinals, reuniting with head coach Gene Stallings who was his defensive secondary coach with the Cowboys.

He played safety and started three games. He was released on December 22.

Thurman never missed a game during his 137-game career and finished with 36 interceptions, which he returned for 562 yards and four touchdowns.

He also recovered seven fumbles. He made his NFL coaching debut with the Phoenix Cardinals, coaching defensive backs for two seasons (1988-1989). He coached from 1993 to 2000 for his alma mater, the University of Southern California Trojans where he mentored future NFLers Chris Cash, Kris Richard, Daylon McCutcheon, Brian Kelly and Troy Polamalu.

Thurman was part of the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff from 2002 to 2008.

Achievements

• Thurman played college football at University of Southern California where he graduated in 1977 as a two-time All-America safety and flanker and was part of the 1974 National Champion team He was a member of the 1974 University of Southern California National Championship team and played on Trojan teams that won four bowl games (two Roses, a Liberty and a Bluebonnet). He was University of Southern California"s Most Valuable Player in 1977 and won University of Southern California"s Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1977. In 1980, he won the starting free safety position but his play was inconsistent.