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Princeton University Athletics
Mike Weick, Stephen Thomas and Steve Verbit.
Football Announces Coaching Staff Updates
September 11, 2026 | Football
PRINCETON – The Princeton Football Team has announced several changes to the coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Mike Weick has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach while Stephen Thomas has been hired as Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Run Game Coordinator. Weick will call plays for the defense going forward.
Steve Verbit is now the Chief of Staff for the football team.
"I am so excited about our 2026 coaching staff," said Charles W. Caldwell Jr. '25 Head Coach of Football Bob Surace. "I have leaned on Steve Verbit for every major decision in the past 16 years and having him take over the Chief of Staff role is only going to make our organization better on and off the field. Mike Weick has done an outstanding job with our linebackers over the past seven years, while having an integral role in our defensive game planning and defensive success during that time. Steve Thomas did an incredible job in his six years coaching previously at Princeton and returns to us with seven seasons of NFL experience and a wealth of knowledge to assist our defensive staff and players. These coaches are not only excellent teachers but terrific people."
Weick is in his eighth year with Princeton and his first season calling the plays as the defensive coordinator. Over the past three years, Weick has helped coach 14 All-Ivy selections highlighted by Ozzie Nicholas' Pro Football Focus All-America and Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team honors in 2023.
"Over my seven years in this program, I have fallen in love with the elite standard of performance that Princeton demands from all of us every single day, "said Weick. I have an immense amount of gratitude for Steve Verbit, who has been and continues to be an incredible mentor to me—not only through his detailed approach to the game of football, but also through the world class impact he has shown me we can have on the lives of our players as members of the Princeton family. I am incredibly excited to carry on that legacy alongside our staff and players as we build defenses that are consistently prepared, aggressive in our approach, and relentless in our pursuit of the Princeton standard of excellence."
The Tigers' defensive coordinator was part of the 2021 staff that helped the team to the Ivy League title. Princeton's defense was one of the best in the FCS that season as it allowed the second fewest first downs (149), was third in rushing defense (73.2), eighth in team sacks per game (3.3) and ninth in total defense (274.1).
Prior to his time at Princeton, Weick spent time at Bucknell, Salve Regina and King's College (Pa.).
Thomas will now be in his third stint with Princeton after spending time with the Tigers from 2012-14 and 2016-18. Most recently, Thomas had spent the last three years with the New York Giants as an assistant special teams coach. Prior to that, Thomas was with the Detroit Lions as defensive quality control coach.
"I'm excited to return to Princeton University and join the coaching staff," said Thomas. "Coach Surace and this staff have been an instrumental piece throughout my career. When this opportunity presented itself, it was a no-brainer to come back and help develop these young men on campus."
Thomas was a part of three Ivy League championship teams (2013, 2016, 2018). In his time with the Tigers, he has coached inside linebackers and special teams. Before Princeton, Thomas helped Southern Mississippi to a Hawaii Bowl appearance along with two years at Delaware highlighted by a berth in the 2010 FCS National Championship game.
Verbit is in his 41st season with the program, having been on the staff for eight of the team's 13 Ivy titles. In his new role, Verbit will be part of strengthening alumni relations, enhancing career development for players and provide guidance on internships.
In his tenure with the Tigers, Verbit coached four Bushnell Cup winners and two NFL Draft selections in Mike Catapano '13 and Caraun Reid '14. As the defensive coordinator for one of the greatest teams in Princeton history, Verbit's 2018 group ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense, 7th in rushing and 11th in total defense. The Tigers held seven of 10 opponents to 10 points or fewer, including a Top-20 rival in Dartmouth during the biggest game of the season; Princeton kept the Big Green offense from scoring for more than 50 minutes in a 14-9 comeback victory.
Season and Single Game Tickets are on sale now!
Season Tickets on Sale
Albany – Sept. 26 – 3 p.m.
Brown – Oct. 17 - 12 p.m.
Cornell – Oct. 31 – 12 p.m.
Dartmouth – Nov. 7 – 12 p.m.
Mike Weick has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach while Stephen Thomas has been hired as Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Run Game Coordinator. Weick will call plays for the defense going forward.
Steve Verbit is now the Chief of Staff for the football team.
"I am so excited about our 2026 coaching staff," said Charles W. Caldwell Jr. '25 Head Coach of Football Bob Surace. "I have leaned on Steve Verbit for every major decision in the past 16 years and having him take over the Chief of Staff role is only going to make our organization better on and off the field. Mike Weick has done an outstanding job with our linebackers over the past seven years, while having an integral role in our defensive game planning and defensive success during that time. Steve Thomas did an incredible job in his six years coaching previously at Princeton and returns to us with seven seasons of NFL experience and a wealth of knowledge to assist our defensive staff and players. These coaches are not only excellent teachers but terrific people."
Weick is in his eighth year with Princeton and his first season calling the plays as the defensive coordinator. Over the past three years, Weick has helped coach 14 All-Ivy selections highlighted by Ozzie Nicholas' Pro Football Focus All-America and Stats Perform FCS All-America Third Team honors in 2023.
"Over my seven years in this program, I have fallen in love with the elite standard of performance that Princeton demands from all of us every single day, "said Weick. I have an immense amount of gratitude for Steve Verbit, who has been and continues to be an incredible mentor to me—not only through his detailed approach to the game of football, but also through the world class impact he has shown me we can have on the lives of our players as members of the Princeton family. I am incredibly excited to carry on that legacy alongside our staff and players as we build defenses that are consistently prepared, aggressive in our approach, and relentless in our pursuit of the Princeton standard of excellence."
The Tigers' defensive coordinator was part of the 2021 staff that helped the team to the Ivy League title. Princeton's defense was one of the best in the FCS that season as it allowed the second fewest first downs (149), was third in rushing defense (73.2), eighth in team sacks per game (3.3) and ninth in total defense (274.1).
Prior to his time at Princeton, Weick spent time at Bucknell, Salve Regina and King's College (Pa.).
Thomas will now be in his third stint with Princeton after spending time with the Tigers from 2012-14 and 2016-18. Most recently, Thomas had spent the last three years with the New York Giants as an assistant special teams coach. Prior to that, Thomas was with the Detroit Lions as defensive quality control coach.
"I'm excited to return to Princeton University and join the coaching staff," said Thomas. "Coach Surace and this staff have been an instrumental piece throughout my career. When this opportunity presented itself, it was a no-brainer to come back and help develop these young men on campus."
Thomas was a part of three Ivy League championship teams (2013, 2016, 2018). In his time with the Tigers, he has coached inside linebackers and special teams. Before Princeton, Thomas helped Southern Mississippi to a Hawaii Bowl appearance along with two years at Delaware highlighted by a berth in the 2010 FCS National Championship game.
Verbit is in his 41st season with the program, having been on the staff for eight of the team's 13 Ivy titles. In his new role, Verbit will be part of strengthening alumni relations, enhancing career development for players and provide guidance on internships.
In his tenure with the Tigers, Verbit coached four Bushnell Cup winners and two NFL Draft selections in Mike Catapano '13 and Caraun Reid '14. As the defensive coordinator for one of the greatest teams in Princeton history, Verbit's 2018 group ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense, 7th in rushing and 11th in total defense. The Tigers held seven of 10 opponents to 10 points or fewer, including a Top-20 rival in Dartmouth during the biggest game of the season; Princeton kept the Big Green offense from scoring for more than 50 minutes in a 14-9 comeback victory.
Season and Single Game Tickets are on sale now!
Season Tickets on Sale
Albany – Sept. 26 – 3 p.m.
Brown – Oct. 17 - 12 p.m.
Cornell – Oct. 31 – 12 p.m.
Dartmouth – Nov. 7 – 12 p.m.
Thursday, September 24
Thursday, September 17
Tuesday, June 30
Friday, May 22