Why I coach: Morris’ Alan Thorson

Editor's note: 'Why I Coach' is a new recurring series from Friday Night Drive that features high school football coaches from across Illinois. Know a coach that should be featured? Email contact@fridaynightdrive.com with your suggestion.

MORRIS – When Alan Thorson graduated from Seneca High School in 1999, he knew he wanted to be a teacher and a coach. What he didn't know was that he would become the head coach for one of the most storied programs in Illinois.

"I just love being around the game," Thorson said. "I think it's the greatest game in the world. And not only for the game on the field. It's all the stuff around it, being around the kids and the other coaches and the lessons you learn about life from the game.

"I know that I am a better person, a better husband and a better father because of the game."

Thorson grew up playing flag football before playing tackle football for the Fighting Irish in high school. In his senior season, Seneca went 8-1 before falling to Evergreen Park in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

"My dad did the stats for Seneca for 15 [to] 20 years, so I grew up around football," he said. "I was a ball boy when I was little. My older brother Scott had played for Seneca, and he was actually my sophomore coach. There is a 13-year difference between us. I know there aren't many guys who get to have their big brother coach them, so he was probably the biggest influence on me. Just being with him on the football field are some of my favorite memories.

"Also, the coaches I played for. Don Brown was a great coach, and Doug Evans. Doug didn't coach football when I was at Seneca, but he was my basketball coach and I learned so much about coaching from him: the attention to details, the preparation."

While still a young man at 38, Thorson already has some former players that have come back to coach with him. Assistant coach Ryan Clauson was on the first team Thorson coached at Morris, and he has also had former players Tyler Hartley, Hunter Barry and Chase Hansen coach with him.

"It says a lot about our program that so many people want to come back and be a part of it," Thorson said. "I feel like it's the best program in the state, I really do. The success on the field, of course, but also the support from both the administration and the community. I don't know how long my career is going to be, but I want to spend it here.

"It can definitely be a very demanding job, but I am fortunate that my wife [formerly known as Chandra Stangland] graduated from here, so she understands what football means here and has been very supportive. There are a lot of hours involved and there is a high stress level, but for me, the benefits outweigh those by far."

One of the main benefits for Thorson is the relationships he builds, not only with his players but also with his coaching staff.

"The coaches are like part of my family," he said. "That's one of the things that is different at Morris is the family atmosphere. We spend so much time together. And you get to feeling like the kids are your own kids. I feel so happy for them when they win and they can see how their work paid off. And I feel bad for them when things don't go the way they wanted."

Thorson also gets to continue to scratch the itch to compete.

"One of the biggest things for me is that I keep wanting to compete," he said. "I am a competitor. Anything I do, I want to win, and this lets me keep competing. I guess you could say football is an obsession. It's just about all I think about, even when we are out of season.

"To me, there is nothing better than preparing during the week and then coming out under those Friday night lights. When everything comes together and we end up with a win, that's just an awesome thing."

March 3: Prairie Ridge's Chris Schremp