Dan Thurin enters his 12th season with the Prairie Wolves football program. Thurin currently serves as the linebackers coach for the NWU defense.
While at Nebraska Wesleyan, Thurin coached linebacker Brett Kaczor to AFCA NAIA All-America recognition in 2012. Last season, two of his linebackers earned All-GPAC recognition. Since taking over as linebacker coach in 2010, 14 players have been named All-Conference with two 1st-Team All-GPAC award winners.
Before coming to NWU, Thurin spent seven season as an assistant coach and head strength coach at Doane College. The Geneva, Neb., native was in charge of Doane’s linebackers before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2003.
As a player for Doane, he was a four-year letter winner and a two-time All-Conference selection. In 1997, he earned Second Team All-America honors as the Tigers went 11-1 and advanced to the NAIA Semifinals, losing by just a single point to the eventual national champions. Thurin’s sack totals in 1996 (11.5) and 1997 (10) rank first and second in team history. He also played professionally for the Lincoln Lightning in 1999 and in the German Pro League in 2000.
In 2014, Thurin was the head coach and defensive coordinator for the Omaha Beef of the Indoor Football league.
Thurin earned both his undergraduate (Physical Education in 1998) and graduate (Management with Leadership emphasis in 2002) degrees from Doane. He is also employed by Graphic Edge. He is engaged to Sasha O’Connell.
