Marmion Academy announced this week that after nearly two decades as head football coach, Dan Thorpe is voluntarily retiring from Marmion’s football program. Although coach Thorpe no longer will be coaching football, he will remain the director of college guidance at Marmion Academy and retain 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, stated Anthony Tinerella, Class of 1984, president of Marmion.
“His dedication to the program, the athletes, and their families is unparalleled. Thankfully, Dan Thorpe will be continuing at Marmion. 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,” stated Anthony Tinerella.
Thorpe has coached high school/college football for 42 years, working at eight 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, Wis. Thorpe is the first person in Wisconsin history to win a state championship as a player (1976) and as a head coach (1988).
Thorpe has a record of 101-86 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,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 remarked, “It has been an honor to be the head football coach at Marmion Academy. 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. I am proud of the journey we shared.”
— Marmion Academy