Lede: Jeff Thorne, the former head coach who led North Central College to its first Division III national championship, has died at 53 after a battle with stomach cancer, the school announced this week.
Fast Facts
- Died at 53 from stomach cancer.
- Led North Central to its first Division III national championship in 2019.
- Career record: 65-10; head coach of the program for six seasons.
- Part of the North Central program from 2002–2021 and honored with a Hall of Fame induction this fall.
Thorne was a central figure in North Central football for nearly two decades, serving the program from 2002 through 2021 and taking the reins as head coach for six seasons. Under his leadership the Cardinals posted an exceptional 65-10 record and captured the school’s first national title in 2019 — a milestone that elevated the program on the Division III map.
The Legacy
Jeff Thorne’s impact on North Central and on college football at the Division III level is defined by three achievements:
- 2019 Division III National Championship — the program’s first and a defining moment in school history.
- Remarkable coaching record (65-10) and sustained winning culture built across his tenure.
- Recognized this fall with a Hall of Fame induction and celebrated for his role as a program builder, mentor and community leader.
Social Proof: Reactions and Tributes
Current head coach Brad Spencer issued a heartfelt statement that captured the program’s grief and gratitude: “Jeff Thorne was my mentor and friend. He was a leader on the field, a builder of character, and a source of inspiration for everyone who wore the Cardinal uniform and the coaches who worked by his side. His passion for the game and his commitment to developing All‑American teammates, husbands, and fathers will endure as part of his remarkable legacy at North Central.”
Spencer thanked the community for the time they shared with Thorne during this past fall’s Hall of Fame induction and the “Refuse to Lose: Cardinals for a Cure” game dedicated in his honor, noting Thorne’s powerful pregame message to the team. The school and program leaders offered condolences to Thorne’s wife Joanna, their children, siblings and parents, and asked the Cardinal family to carry forward his relentless “Refuse to Lose” spirit.
Players, alumni and coaches across Division III also shared memories of Thorne’s mentorship and his emphasis on character, service and faith. The Cardinals have pledged to honor his memory on the field and in the community in the seasons ahead.
Our thoughts are with Jeff Thorne’s family and the entire North Central community during this difficult time.
Image Referance: https://thespun.com/college-football/longtime-college-football-head-coach-dead-from-cancer-at-53