Thomas Austin, a former National Football League offensive lineman and staff member for two-time national champion Clemson, was named Georgia State's offensive line coach in January 2019.
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In his first season at GSU, Austin's line was a key component in the most prolific offense in program history with school records for points, scoring average, total offense, total offense per game, rushing yards, rushing yards per game, rushing yards per attempt and first downs. The offensive line paved the way for Sun Belt Conference rushing leader Tra Barnett, who ranked No. 11 in FBS with 111.8 rushing yards per game. As a team, GSU ranked 13th in FBS in rushing yards per game.
Four of his linemen earned postseason honors in 2019. Left tackle Hunter Atkinson, left guard Shamarious Gilmore and center Malik Sumter earned All-Sun Belt honors, and right tackle Travis Glover was named to the FWAA-Shaun Alexander Freshman All-America team, the second Freshman All-America in school history. Following the season, Atkinson signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
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Before coming to GSU, Austin spent the previous four seasons (2015-18) at Clemson, his alma mater, working with the offensive staff as the Tigers reached the College Football Playoff each year, including titles in 2016 and 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2015. In addition to serving as a video graduate assistant for 2018's title team, he has assisted long-time Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell.
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A 2009 graduate of Clemson, Austin was an All-America and two-time all-conference lineman who started 38 games for the Tigers from 2006-09. Following his college career, he signed an NFL free agent contract with the New England Patriots in 2010. He played in the NFL with Houston, Carolina and Indianapolis from 2010-13.
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Austin and his wife Margaret have been married for 12Â years and have four children: Adam, 8, Isaiah, 6, Hazel, 4, and infant Walt.
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