Football

Thurn arrived in the Electric City in mid-January, 2023, after serving in a variety of roles at North Greenville University over the past two year, most recently as the Offensive Line Coach for the Crusaders.

“I'm excited to welcome James, his wife Jenna and their two daughters Harper and Ryleigh to the Trojan Family,” said Lamb. “James brings a wealth of knowledge to Trojan football having served as a head football coach, offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach. His contacts throughout the state of South Carolina will allow us to recruit the best student-athletes as we continue to build this program.”

During his time in Tigerville, Thurn coached an offensive line that blocked for Corey Watkins, the Gulf South’s leading rusher last season, who totaled 1,079 yards for the season while averaging 107.9 yards per game and six yards per rush, en route to becoming the first running back to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards for North Greenville since 2016. Thurn also guided Lewis McBeth to All-Gulf South accolades, becoming the first offensive lineman in school history to capture all-conference accolades.

Thurn served as the head of the team’s Player Leadership Council and was responsible for all positional meetings, positional schematic install, positional drill work and was also in charge of the Field Goal/Point After squad. He assisted with all aspects of game planning and was responsible for overseeing equipment orders and travel plans, while also coaching tight ends and outside linebackers while with the Crusaders.

He arrived at North Greenville following a three-year stint as the Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator at Blue Ridge High School. Thurn began his coaching career at Westside High School in Anderson, working with the tight ends before being promoted to offensive coordinator after two seasons. Under Coach Thurn the Rams set or tied seven school records on the offensive side of the ball and notched a region championship in 2016.

Thurn played his prep football at Wren High School and played collegiately at North Greenville. In 2010 the former right tackle was voted a team captain and helped lead the Crusaders to a Victory Bowl Championship, while earning First-Team All-Independent honors. He graduated from North Greenville in 2010 with a degree in Broadcast Media and earned his master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Concordia-Nebraska in 2018.

“My family and I are excited about coming to Anderson University,” said Thurn. “We are thankful to Coach Lamb, Dr. Epting and Dr. Whitaker for the opportunity to be a part of building a special football program at AU. I am ready to get to work and join the Trojan family.”