A TRUE HORNET GREAT PASSES

Well-loved Hornet Hall of Fame football coach Jeff Jespersen passed away late Tuesday afternoon.

Coach J is one of the most popular and loved instructors and coaches that Fullerton College has had with a career that spanned three decades and four coaching regimes. He was inducted into the Fullerton College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017 joining his best friend John Pease.

Working as a defensive guru for the Hornet football team since 1980, Jespersen first began coaching under Hal Sherbeck, then the combo of Marv Sampson/Glenn Thomas, Gene Murphy, and eventually in 2016 he hung up the whistle under Tim Byrnes. It was quite a run for Coach J who endured many changes to the program over the years, while serving as a positive role model for many student-athletes. His guidance and words of encouragement will never be forgotten, as he truly believed in making everyone better. Coach J was the embodiment of a coach and will be dearly missed by many who were lucky enough to know to him.

Jespersen helped the football Hornets to the a state title in 1983, and his work as a faculty member, in charge of the Schoepe Wellness Center, brought the Fullerton community together. Coach Jespersen also had a plethora of student-followers/worshipers called the "Jerspernites", who were very dedicated to his classroom teachings and life lessons.

As a longtime defensive coordinator and strength & conditioning coordinator, Jespersen helped develop 1982 Hornet All-American Brian Noble into a standout player, who went on to star in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. Jeff Sanchez played at Georgia University earning All-American honors and then played for the New Orleans Saints. He also cultivated the defensive prowess of the 1983 national championship team, which yielded just 29.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season. Many others such as former Seattle Seahawks standout Paul Moyer and former UCLA defensive end Jason Nevadomsky have achieved All-American stature under Jespersen's tutelage.

Jespersen earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Utah. After graduating, he served as head coach to the freshmen of Idaho Falls High (1970-72). Prior to that, Jespersen began his coaching career at Brighton High (1969-70).

Since his retirement, Jespersen lived in South Orange County surrounded by his loving and dedicated family. He leaves behind five adult children: Kelly, Jocelyn, Tishara, Kenesha, and Brandt (Bubba).

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

Coach J strongly believed in the following words:
ONCE A HORNET, ALWAYS A HORNET!