Tom Jobst, longtime high school football coach, dies at 75
The Hall of Fame coach led Marquette Academy for 14 years and finished his career with a 187-103 record.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
Tom Jobst, a Hall of Fame high school football coach, died on Sunday at the age of 75. His passing concludes a four-decade career in Illinois high school athletics, leaving behind a professional record of 187 wins and 103 losses.
Jobst served as head coach at four different institutions. He led New Berlin from 1976 to 1979, coached Morrison from 1980 to 1987, and spent three years at Ottawa from 1990 to 1992. He returned to coaching in 2010 as the head coach at Marquette Academy in Ottawa, a position he held until 2024.
The Marquette Academy football program was in a difficult state when Jobst assumed leadership in 2010. The team had not made a playoff appearance since 2001 and posted a combined record of 18-54 over the previous eight years. Under Jobst, the Crusaders struggled initially, going 0-9 in 2010 and 2-7 in 2011 due to low player numbers.
By the 2012 season, the program began a sustained period of success. Marquette earned consecutive playoff berths from 2012 through Jobst’s final year in 2024. The school acknowledged his influence through a post on its Facebook page, noting that he helped revive the football program and provided 14 years of dedication and discipline to the student body.
The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association inducted Jobst into its Hall of Fame in 2016. A Facebook post from Marquette Academy described him as a figure who shaped young men and built a lasting tradition. The school stated that his impact reached beyond the field and would remain part of the community for years to come.
A visitation is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.
