Marquette coach Tom Jobst retiring after 15 years, turning around Crusaders program

OTTAWA – Tom Jobst, who in 2010 took over a Marquette Academy football program that had suffered through eight consecutive losing seasons and turned it into a perennial Class 1A powerhouse, is retiring as head coach of the Crusaders, the Ottawa school announced Thursday morning.

Over his 15 years as head coach at Marquette, Jobst – a 2016 inductee into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame – compiled a 113-44 record. He’d previously head coached at New Berlin (1976-79), Morrison (1980-87) and Ottawa (1990-92) and concludes his career with a lifetime head coaching record of 187-103.

He also served as an underclass coach/varsity assistant at Fort Dodge (Iowa), Hall and Ottawa High.

“Coach Jobst has been a foundational part of our football program for many years,” Marquette Academy principal Brooke Rick said. “His commitment to the success and development of his players – on and off the field – has shaped the program into what it is today.

“We are incredibly grateful for his years of service, and while he will be missed, his legacy will continue to inspire generations of Marquette Academy student-athletes.”

Marquette plans to honor Jobst’s retirement with a ceremony during the 2025 season.

Before Jobst’s taking over the Marquette football program, the Crusaders had not been to the playoffs since 2001 and had gone a combined 18-54 the prior eight years. Jobst’s Crusaders struggled with low numbers during an 0-9 2010 season and 2-7 2011 season, but in 2012 Marquette began a run of success and consecutive playoff appearances that continued through 2024′s 6-5 campaign.

The search for Marquette’s next football coach will begin immediately, per a Marquette news release, seeking “a new head football coach who will continue the tradition of excellence established by Coach Jobst.”