A Spanish Fort, Ala. native, Thomas Johnston joined the University of North Alabama football staff in December of 2022 as defensive line coach at North Alabama.
Johnston came to UNA after spending the last year as strength and conditioning, and linebackers coach at Alabaster (Ala.) High School in 2022.
A three-year letterman at linebacker as a player at UAB, Johnston earned Freshman All-Conference USA honors in 2017 and was a member of a conference championship team.
He also lettered in baseball one season with the Blazers.
"Thomas has been a star in this state as a high school player, college player and high school coach," said Dearmon. "Thomas has won championships as a player and coach in this state. He is a winner."
Johnston earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2021. Â
A high school graduate of perennial Alabama prep power Spanish Fort, he is the state of Alabama's all-time leading tackler with 675. He started 65 straight games, was a three-time all-state linebacker, the Alabama Sports Writers Association 6A Lineman of the Year, the AL.com Player of the Year, Senior Bowl Player of the Year and MVP of the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game.
