Hampden-Sydney College

Thalman joined the Hampden-Sydney coaching staff in 1953 as an assistant coach on Jim Hickey's football staff; he also served as head track coach.  In 1956, he was named athletic director and head football coach, a post he held until the spring of 1960 when he rejoined Hickey at the University of North Carolina.

In his first two years at the helm of the Tiger program, Thalman directed the Tigers to two back-to-back Mason-Dixon Conference Championships, in 1956 and 1957.  The 1956 squad posted a 7-2 mark, including a 27-7 whipping of Randolph-Macon.  The 1957 team followed suit, with an 8-1 season and 26-19 win over Macon.  His overall record was 26-9-1 (.736) which is the best winning percentage of any Hampden-Sydney coach since 1900.  During his four years, Thalman coached eight All-Americans, including current Hall of Famers Bill LeHew '57 and Billy Benson '60.