Former North Central Coach Jeff Thorne Remembered As Inspiration On And Off Field

NAPERVILLE, IL — There has been an outpouring of dedications to former North Central College (NCC) head football coach Jeff Thorne, who died Tuesday after battling stomach cancer. Thorne, who became the college's head football coach in 2015, led the team to their first NCAA Division III Football National Championship in 2019 and through record-breaking milestones over six seasons, according to a post from NCC.

Thorne started with NCC as a defensive coordinator in 2002 before rising to the role of assistant head coach. His appointment as head coach in 2015 made him the 25th head coach in North Central College's history.

Milestones of Thorne's career include four College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship titles as head coach, five perfect regular seasons, and 37 All-America awards and 36 All-Region awards as head coach.

Thorne was named Bob Reade Coach of the Year by CCIW in 2016 and National Coach of the Year by D3football.com in 2019.

After leaving NCC, Thorne served as assistant football coach -- offensive coordinator at Western Michigan University.

The beloved coach was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer in February 2025, according to a GoFundMe started by his family. The GoFundMe, which sought to support alternative treatments for Thorne, raised more than $100,000.

In a November update, his family expressed their gratitude for the "generous support" they received, writing that "[e]very contribution, message, and prayer has carried him through some of his toughest moments."

In a NCC memorial to Thorne after his death, the college's current head coach Brad Spencer called Thorne his "mentor and friend," adding that Thorne "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."

When NCC announced Thorne's passing on its Facebook page, fans, friends and former students shared comments illustrating his impact on them.

Facebook user Austin C. wrote that Thorne "changed countless lives."

Another Facebook user, Pat H., wrote, "A great man who raised a great family!! He coached with integrity and helped develop men of character inside and outside of the game of football."

As of Thursday morning, no information had been made available regarding a memorial for Thorne.