Steve Thonn

Head Coach/Director of Football Operations

Steve Thonn is in his first year as head coach and director of football operations for the Grand Rapids Rampage. He took over the position after spending three seasons (2005-07) as the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Force, who compiled a 33-15 regular-season record during that span, made two National Conference Championship appearances and reached ArenaBowl XIX.

During Thonn’s time as an offensive coordinator for the Force, Georgia regularly set team offensive records while several of its players set individual, team and league marks of their own. In 2007, the Force led the AFL with a record 145 touchdowns while posting the third highest points total (1,007) in the AFL’s 21-year history.

Meanwhile, quarterback Chris Greisen, who had thrown just 16 passes in his AFL career entering 2007, connected on a league-record 117 touchdown passes, led the AFL and currently ranks third all-time with a 132.0 quarterback rating, and amassed the second highest passing yards total (4,851) in AFL history.

Other players who emerged as offensive stars while under Thonn’s tutelage in Georgia included quarterback Matt Nagy and receiver Troy Bergeron. Nagy, who set every major Force passing record in 2006 only to be eclipsed by Greisen, took Georgia to an ArenaBowl XIX appearance, developing into an established leader that navigated the Columbus Destroyers past the Force and into ArenaBowl XXI in 2007. Bergeron exploded onto the AFL scene in 2005 as the league’s Rookie of the Year, and became the league’s fifth leading receiver in 2007.

Prior to joining the Force, Thonn served as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Desperados from 2003-04, where he helped introduced three-time AFL All-Ironman Team member and 2007 Ironman of the Year Will Pettis to the league.

From 1998-2001, Thonn served as head coach for the Houston ThunderBears, posting an 18-38 record and making one playoff appearance. From 1998-99, he helped transform then second-year starter Clint Dolezel into arguably the most prolific and productive passer in AFL history.

Thonn’s AFL coaching career also includes stints as the offensive coordinator for the Milwaukee Mustangs (1996) and the Connecticut Coyotes (1995), and he served as the Albany Firebirds’ receivers and special teams coach in 1994. In addition, Thonn played for six seasons (1988-93) in the AFL as a wide receiver/defensive back with the Firebirds and the Chicago Bruisers.

The Wheaton College graduate was named to the Division III All-America Team in football and played basketball and baseball for the Crusaders from 1980-84, earning a spot in the school’s Hall of Honor. Thonn also served as an assistant basketball coach for his alma mater and has coached for Wheaton North (Ill.) High School’s varsity football team.

Thonn and his wife, Pam, have a daughter, Jaimee, and a son, Corey.

Phone: (616) 975-7708 x11
Email: sthonn@rampagefootball.com