Above / Marmion Academy Head Football Coach Dan Thorpe is retiring after two decades of football team leadership, but will remain as Director of Guidance and head coach of Marmion Track & Field. (Photo courtesy Marmion Academy)
Aurora, IL – Marmion Academy announced today that after nearly two decades as Head Football Coach, Dan Thorpe is voluntarily retiring from Marmion’s football program. Although Coach Thorpe will no longer be coaching football, he will remain the Director of College Guidance at Marmion Academy and will retain the Head Coach position for the school’s Track & Field team.
“Since Coach Thorpe joined the Marmion Family as Head Football Coach in 2005, he has given his very best both on and off the field. His dedication to the program, the athletes, and their families is unparalleled.,” stated Anthony Tinerella ’84, President of Marmion Academy.
“Thankfully, Dan Thorpe will be continuing at Marmion in his role as our Director of College Guidance and Head Track & Field Coach,” Tinerella added. “He will continue to be a positive role model and guiding force for our students and their families, helping generations of students find the right college or university that best meets their career goals and academic needs. We thank Coach Thorpe for his years of faithful service, hard work, and tremendous run as our Head Football Coach.”
Brief recap of Thorpe’s career
Thorpe has coached high school/college football for 42 years, working at eight different schools in four states: Wisconsin, Maryland, Ohio, and Illinois. He began his coaching career in 1981 as an assistant coach at University of Wisconsin – River Falls and he received his first head coach position in 1987 at Turner High School in Beloit, WI.
Prior to coming to Marmion, he was head coach for 17 years at four different schools with an overall personal record of 120-60. He took teams to the State Playoffs (Wisconsin and Illinois) 11 of those 17 years.
While Head Coach at Turner High School, Thorpe coached the school’s State Runner-Up team in 1987 and led the Turner High School Trojans to become State Champions in 1988.
Thorpe is the first person in Wisconsin history to win a State Championship as a player (1976) and as a Head Coach (1988). He is also the first person in Wisconsin to play in (1977) and coach (1991) an All-Star Game. In addition to Wisconsin, he has coached All-Star Games in Ohio and Illinois.
Thorpe has a record of 101-86 while at Marmion and has coached 10 teams that have qualified for the IHSA State Playoffs. His best finish was his 2010-11 season when the Cadets finished as the IHSA 6A State Runner-Up with a record of 12-2. Coach Thorpe has coached a total of six NFL players; two prior to coming to Marmion and four Marmion alumni: Graham Glasgow ’11, Ryan Glasgow ’12, Jordan Glasgow ’15, and Luke Juriga ’15.
Thorpe expressed appreciation and more
“It has been an honor to be the Head Football Coach at Marmion Academy,” noted Thorpe. “Not a day has gone by that I have not thought about Marmion football in some way. I am filled with gratitude, pride, and a sense of accomplishment for the opportunities I have had, the relationships I have built, and the impact we have made together. I am grateful to the Benedictine Monks, Marmion Administration, the faculty, my assistant coaches, and my family, but most of all the players, both current and past, who have impacted my life in many ways.”
Thorpe continued, “I am proud of the journey we shared. It was not just about the wins and losses, but the memories, challenges, and lessons learned both on and off the field. I appreciate the dedication from the players and my assistant coaches, and I have cherished every moment spent on the sidelines, guiding, and mentoring the Cadets as they developed into strong, dedicated, and resilient individuals.”
Famous last words…
Thorpe added, “Two quotes that every Marmion football player will recall hearing from me are ‘Have No Regrets’ and the ‘Bus Keeps Moving.’
“I will continue to live by this philosophy during my football coaching retirement.”
Marmion Academy notes Thorpe’s ‘outstanding service’
Marmion Academy is grateful to Thorpe for his outstanding service to the school community and to the football program. He has left his mark on the program holding the title of the “winningest coach” in program history, along with providing his players with the foundation for success in life after high school.
“Coach Dan Thorpe has been one of the pillars of our Marmion community over the past 19 years. He has set an incredible standard in terms of modeling faith, service, and high character to our students. His dedication to Marmion and our community has been unwavering during his time. Beyond being an outstanding coach, Dan has helped to shape his players’ lives and teach them to grow into quality young men,” stated Joseph Large ’97, Principal of Marmion Academy.
Search for new coach now in progress
Marmion Academy’s search to replace Coach Thorpe will start immediately. Kindly direct all inquiries to athletics@marmion.org.
Marmion Academy, a Catholic and Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence, and leadership development.
For more information on Marmion Academy, visit www.marmion.org.
Report and photos submitted by Marmion Academy.
