Hall of Fame
Robert Thurness, Class of 1962, played guard and linebacker in football at Coe, as well as catcher in baseball and sprinter and hurdler in track. But, all of that was simply a prelude to a coaching career in colleges and high schools that has been a winner on every level. Named head football coach at Coe in 1982 and athletic director in 1985, Coach Thurness has coached the Kohawks to a 22-4-1 conference record, with two co-championships. Thirty-six of his football players have been first-team All-Conference. At the other end of the calendar during Iowa's cold, wet springs, he coaches Coe women's softball. His ladies have won the Midwest Conference championship each of the five years he has coached and 20 of his players have been All-Conference selections and one earned All-American status. In his first year as athletic director, the Coe men's program won first place in the all-sports competition in the Midwest Conference and women's teams ranked second. Bob Thurness brings to his position a remarkable, perhaps unique, academic background. He has four post-graduate degrees, a tribute to his tireless work habits and organizing ability. Before capping his academic career with a Ph.D. from University of Iowa, he earned master's degrees from South Dakota State and Northeast Missouri State, and a specialist degree from Northeast Missouri. His last coaching stop before Coe was Marion High School where his teams went 57-13. In 1980 his Marion team was the undefeated Iowa 3-A State Champion. Earlier he coached at Tripoli, Davis County, Eldora, Linn-Mar, and Tipton. Fans in Eldora still remember his 22-1-1 career record there. His total high school record was 102-34-1, a .750 winning average. He was named to the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Just to keep in shape, Dr. Thurness was twice runner-up in the State Golden Gloves competition and he played several seasons of Major Open softball in Cedar Rapids. In recognition of skillful coaching, meticulously detailed athletic administration, and total devotion to the development and welfare of student-athletes, we present Dr. Robert L. Thurness for membership in the Coe Athletic Hall of Fame.
