It's back to the gridiron sidelines for a former Dodge City Community College football coach as former Conquistador Head Coach, Gary Thomas is set to return to coaching football as he has been named the Head Coach for the Southwest Kansas Storm an indoor football team in Dodge City that competes in the Champions Indoor Football League. 

Thomas who served as the Head Coach of the Conqs football program from 2013-18 now will guide the Southwest Kansas Storm who are entering their third season under their current name being rebranded prior to the 2022 season. The Storm is coming off a 4-7 season falling the quarterfinals of the CIF playoffs. 

During his tenure at Dodge City Thomas coached 65 games for the Conqs and picked up 31 wins making him the third winningest coach in school history. His best season leading the Conqs came in 2015 when he led the team to a 9-3 record winning a share of the KJCCC title, along with tying the school record for single-season wins and playing in the school's sixth bowl game. He was named KJCCC Coach of the Year twice while at Dodge City picking up the honors in 2013 and 2015. The 2013 season was his first at the helm for the Conqs and he helped the Conqs to a 6-4 record; the program had won only six games combined between the previous five seasons. 

Thomas coached seven NJCAA All-Americans while at Dodge City along with several All-KJCCC honorees. Several of his former players went on to play professionally in the NFL, CFL, XFL, CIF, IFL, USFL, and various leagues in Europe. 

In a press release from the Southwest Kansas Storm Coach Thomas talked about what intrigued him about the opportunity to coach the Storm. "After talking with owners and hearing their vision for the direction of the franchise, it's clear that they are very motivated. I was impressed with the internal structure of the operations that are already in place, and their willingness to accommodate the things that I know will be necessary to be successful. I intend to hire a coaching staff of local, qualified, organized, like-minded, and extremely competitive individuals, and assemble a roster that will compete and execute at a level that our fan base can be proud of. I want to thank the ownership group for this unique opportunity. I look forward to bringing my structure and innovation to the franchise and helping their vision to reality. It's going to be a fun ride!" said Thomas. 

Thomas' first season leading the Storm will be in 2024. The Storm compete in the CIF with competition starting in March and stretching into June and play their home games at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City.