The Millville Thunderbolts have a new football coach - his name is Dennis Thomas.

"I'm extremely excited," Thomas told Mike Frankel of the South Jersey Sports Report on SNJ Today.  "I think it's going to be an excellent opportunity, a lot of the kids are excited and I look forward to doing some great things here at Millville."

(Listen to Millville head Football Coach Dennis Thomas on the South Jersey Sports Report with Mike Frankel)

Thomas, 35, played football at Salem High and replaces Jason Durham, who resigned after last season. Thomas returned to his alma mater where is was 13-10 the past two season, including reaching the South Jersey Group 1 title game this season.

Thomas will have big shoes to fill in Durham, who stepped down in March.  He revived the program, leading them to five playoff appearances in seven seasons.

"The bar has been set really high here," Thomas told Frankel.  "I'm always looking for new ventures, and this is just a great fit for me and my family. I think we have something to give the city of Millville."

Local college football fans may remember Thomas, who played running back at Rutgers and spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs for one season as an undrafted rookie free agent.

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