After two years at Texas A&M and a season on Dave Aranda’s Baylor staff, Austin Thomas is back in Baton Rouge on Ed Orgeron’s staff. Orgeron announced that Thomas has been hired as the program’s general manager.

“It’s great to have Austin back with us,” Orgeron said via a school release. “He’s going to do an outstanding job with the day-to-day operations of our program. He’s bright, understands what it takes to be successful at the highest level of college athletics and will work closely with me to ensure that everything we do is geared towards winning more championships.”

Thomas was previous on LSU’s staff from 2013-17. In 2016, Orgeron gave him the title of general manager, a first in SEC history.

“My family and I are humbled and excited to return to Baton Rouge and for the opportunity to serve as the general manager for the LSU football program,” Thomas said in the announcement. “We are forever grateful to Coach Orgeron, Scott Woodward, the LSU administration and the entire LSU community for this opportunity and for welcoming us with open arms.

“I am greatly looking forward to working and growing alongside Coach Orgeron, the LSU coaching staff, players and support staff to accomplish our goals as an organization. I feel blessed to serve this great University, the state of Louisiana and its wonderful people on a daily basis. I do not take this responsibility lightly and I look forward to upholding the ‘LSU Standard of Performance’ in order to make Louisiana proud of its flagship institution. Geaux Tigers!”

Thomas served as the associate athletic director for football personnel at Texas A&M for two years in 2018-19. He was senior associate athletic director for football at Baylor for 2020.