Jeff Thorne

Jeff Thorne
Biographical details
Born(1972-03-12)March 12, 1972
Normal, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 2025(2025-12-09) (aged 53)
Naperville, Illinois, U.S.
Playing career
1990–1993Eastern Illinois
PositionQuarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1994–2001Wheaton Warrenville South HS (IL) (OC/QB)
2002–2014North Central (IL) (OC)
2015–2021North Central (IL)
2022Western Michigan (OC/QB)
Head coaching record
Overall65–10
Tournaments11–4 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 NCAA Division III (2019)
4 CCIW (2016–2018, 2021)
Awards
CCIW Coach of the Year (2016)
D3football.com National Coach of the Year (2019)

Jeffery Aaron Thorne (March 12, 1972 – December 9, 2025) was an American college football coach and player. He was the offensive coordinator at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2022. Thorne served as the head football coach at North Central College from 2015 to 2021. He succeeded his father, John Thorne, and led the 2019 team to an NCAA Division III national title. Thorne played college football at Eastern Illinois University, starting at quarterback in the early 1990s. His son, Payton, is currently a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals as of 2025.