Aurora University Athletics

Joe Thorgesen joined the Aurora University football program as an assistant coach in December of 2018.  He will serve as the running back coach for the Spartans.

He comes to AU after coaching at the high school level for 34 years.  During his career he was the head coach for Kaneland High School for 26 years as well as defensive coordinator for 3 years.  During this time he was part of 18 playoff teams, the 1997 and 1998 3A State Champions,  the 2006 and 2010 semi-finalists.  His program developed 14 All-State players and 6 conference championships.  In 2006 he was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

As a student-athlete, Thorgesen played football and baseball at West Aurora High School and was inducted in 2000 into their Athletic Hall of Fame.  In college he was a member of the Illinois Wesleyan University football and baseball teams.  During his 4 years he was part of 2 football and 2 baseball conference championships.

He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Illinois Wesleyan University and a master's degree in secondary education in 1989 from Northern Illinois University.