Scott Thiessen/Wayne Cordova

Scott Thiessen joined the Lamar University Cardinals coaching staff in February 2020 and is in his second season working with LU’s outside linebackers. A native of Modesto, Calif., a veteran with 16 years of coaching experience, Thiessen comes to the Golden Triangle after spending eight seasons at the Air Force Prep School in Colorado where he served as head coach.

Two primary goals that Thiessen had while serving as the head coach was retention and player development. He recorded a nearly 70 percent retention rate during his time at the helm, and 70 percent of Air Force’s starters were former prep school players. Wayne Cordova

Wayne Cordova is entering his second season on the Cardinal sidelines after making the move from Baton Rouge, La., where he spent one season on staff at Southern University. Cordova is an assistant on the defensive staff coaching LU’s defensive backs. In his first season in Beaumont, Cordova helped transform sophomore Anthony Ruffin into one of the top young defensive backs at the FCS level. A third-team all-conference selection in just his second season with the team, Ruffin led the Cardinals with 43 stops, including 28 solo tackles, and a team-high three interceptions in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Ruffin was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in helping LU record a victory over Northwestern State.

During his time in Baton Rouge, Cordova coached the Jaguars’ safeties and served as the special teams coordinator. While at Southern, Cordova turned sophomore Tamaurice Smith into one of the league’s top defensive backs. Smith garnered All-SWAC honors following a season that saw him record 27 tackles and a team-high five interceptions, including eight pass break ups.

Thiessen oversaw a staff of eight to 12 coaches and worked with a new 55-man roster every season. During his time at the prep academy, Thiessen worked with defensive backs, defensive line, linebackers and also served as defensive and special teams coordinator.

Prior to his time at the Air Force Prep Academy, Thiessen spent six seasons as an assistant on staff at Chapman University. During his time in Orange, Calif., Thiessen worked directly with the Panthers’ secondary. Thiessen’s coaching career began at Modesto Junior College where he worked with the Modesto JC cornerbacks.

Thiessen graduated from Youngstown State in May 2004. A transfer from Modesto, Thiessen was a versatile athlete who played every position in the Penguins’ secondary. The true definition of a student athlete, Thiessen earned Academic All-America honors at both the NCAA FCS and NJCAA levels.

Thiessen graduated from Youngstown State in May 2004 with his bachelor’s degree. He received his Master’s of Arts in Special Education in July 2010. Thiessen, and his wife, Alayne, of 14 years have two sons,

Carter and Ryder.

Cordova made the move to Southern following two seasons in Lake Charles, La., serving as the safeties coach for his alma mater, McNeese. During his time with the Cowboys, Cordova produced an All-Southland selection in Dominique Hill. He also handled the role of Cowboys’ director of football operations.

Cordova joined the collegiate ranks after earning his stripes at the high school level. He spent the 2016 season at Newman High School (La.) where he was the defensive coordinator, and prior to that, was on the Tulane Green Wave staff for two years as the Director of Player Personnel-External Relations. Cordova previously served as the head coach at St. Augustine (2006-08) and served as an assistant coach at Destrehan (2012-13) and Brother Martin (2009-11). Cordova got his start at the collegiate level at Grambling in 2013 where he was the Director of Player Personnel.

As a player, Cordova was named a member of the 75th Anniversary Football Team as well as playing for the Cowboys’ Southland Championship and 1997 National Championship Runner-Up squad. He helped guide McNeese to two playoff appearances during that time. A 1999 first-team All-Southland Football League selection, Cordova was named the Johnnie Caldarera Defensive Player of the Year after posting 113 tackles. He ended his career with 305 total tackles, ranking 11th on the school career record list.

He received his bachelor’s degree from McNeese in 2005. Cordova and his wife, CeCe, have five children: Corey, Jordan, Landon, Kandyn and Chloe.