Staff Directory
Thompson, Aristotle
Aristotle Thompson
- Title:
- Running Backs Coach
Aristotle Thompson joined Northwestern as its running backs coach in February 2025.
Thompson arrives in Evanston after spending the past five seasons coaching running backs at Cal, where he played a key role in the development of Jaydn Ott, a 2024 preseason All-American who ranks among the Golden Bears' all-time rushing leaders. Prior to his time in Berkeley, Thompson spent 11 seasons at Cal Poly, where he helped produce a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his final nine campaigns and was instrumental in five consecutive winning seasons from 2010-14.
"We are thrilled to welcome Aristotle Thompson to our coaching staff," Braun said. "Aristotle is a proven teacher of the game who brings a relentless work ethic and an ability to connect with student-athletes. His track record speaks for itself—wherever he's been, his running backs have played with toughness, discipline, and consistency. We're excited for the impact he will have in our room and the leadership he will bring to our program."
Most recently, Thompson helped Cal's rushing attack fuel back-to-back bowl appearances, with the Bears posting their highest rushing output in over a decade in 2023 (172.8 YPG). Ott led the Pac-12 in rushing (1,315 yards, 12 TDs) and ranked among the nation's top 10 in yards per game (109.6) and all-purpose yards per game (135.7).
"I am blessed and truly honored to join Northwestern Football," Thompson said. "I want to thank Coach Braun and Mark Jackson for extending the opportunity to be a part of this program. My family and I are thrilled to help the young men in this program continue to grow, especially the running backs. We are eager to bring experience and passion for the game to this program, focusing on developing tough, smart, and dynamic players who will make an impact on the field. Together we will push the limits, raise the standard, build a winning culture and make the Northwestern community proud both on and off the field."
Prior to his tenure at Cal, Thompson spent 11 seasons (2009-19) at Cal Poly as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, where his backs produced nine consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The Mustangs' powerful rushing attack contributed to five straight winning campaigns from 2010-14, including an FCS Playoff appearance in 2012. During his time at Cal Poly, he coached five players to FCS All-America honors over seven different seasons and helped the program claim conference championships in the Great West (2011) and Big Sky (2012).
Thompson's coaching career also includes roles at Boise State, where he served as an assistant director of football operations (2007-08) and an assistant strength and conditioning coach (2001), along with stops at Eastern Oregon, Grant High School (Oregon), and Nampa High School (Idaho).
A former collegiate running back, Thompson was a four-year letterwinner at Boise State (1997-2000), helping the Broncos win back-to-back Big West titles and Humanitarian Bowl victories in 1999 and 2000.
Beyond coaching, Thompson has been recognized for his contributions to the community. He was honored as a member of the 2022 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team for his work supporting children with epilepsy through the Helmets4Helmets initiative, which was inspired by his son, Bryson.
A Portland, Oregon, native, Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in social sciences with an emphasis in criminal justice from Boise State in 2001. He and his wife, Sarah, have five children: Brock, Bryson, Lennon, Akyra, and Payton.
Thompson arrives in Evanston after spending the past five seasons coaching running backs at Cal, where he played a key role in the development of Jaydn Ott, a 2024 preseason All-American who ranks among the Golden Bears' all-time rushing leaders. Prior to his time in Berkeley, Thompson spent 11 seasons at Cal Poly, where he helped produce a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his final nine campaigns and was instrumental in five consecutive winning seasons from 2010-14.
"We are thrilled to welcome Aristotle Thompson to our coaching staff," Braun said. "Aristotle is a proven teacher of the game who brings a relentless work ethic and an ability to connect with student-athletes. His track record speaks for itself—wherever he's been, his running backs have played with toughness, discipline, and consistency. We're excited for the impact he will have in our room and the leadership he will bring to our program."
Most recently, Thompson helped Cal's rushing attack fuel back-to-back bowl appearances, with the Bears posting their highest rushing output in over a decade in 2023 (172.8 YPG). Ott led the Pac-12 in rushing (1,315 yards, 12 TDs) and ranked among the nation's top 10 in yards per game (109.6) and all-purpose yards per game (135.7).
"I am blessed and truly honored to join Northwestern Football," Thompson said. "I want to thank Coach Braun and Mark Jackson for extending the opportunity to be a part of this program. My family and I are thrilled to help the young men in this program continue to grow, especially the running backs. We are eager to bring experience and passion for the game to this program, focusing on developing tough, smart, and dynamic players who will make an impact on the field. Together we will push the limits, raise the standard, build a winning culture and make the Northwestern community proud both on and off the field."
Prior to his tenure at Cal, Thompson spent 11 seasons (2009-19) at Cal Poly as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, where his backs produced nine consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The Mustangs' powerful rushing attack contributed to five straight winning campaigns from 2010-14, including an FCS Playoff appearance in 2012. During his time at Cal Poly, he coached five players to FCS All-America honors over seven different seasons and helped the program claim conference championships in the Great West (2011) and Big Sky (2012).
Thompson's coaching career also includes roles at Boise State, where he served as an assistant director of football operations (2007-08) and an assistant strength and conditioning coach (2001), along with stops at Eastern Oregon, Grant High School (Oregon), and Nampa High School (Idaho).
A former collegiate running back, Thompson was a four-year letterwinner at Boise State (1997-2000), helping the Broncos win back-to-back Big West titles and Humanitarian Bowl victories in 1999 and 2000.
Beyond coaching, Thompson has been recognized for his contributions to the community. He was honored as a member of the 2022 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team for his work supporting children with epilepsy through the Helmets4Helmets initiative, which was inspired by his son, Bryson.
A Portland, Oregon, native, Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in social sciences with an emphasis in criminal justice from Boise State in 2001. He and his wife, Sarah, have five children: Brock, Bryson, Lennon, Akyra, and Payton.
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