Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College announced today that Assistant Head Coach Terry Fawcett has been named Head Coach of the Thunder Football program. Fawcett takes over the program immediately, filling the opening made available in late November when Head Coach Keith Turner stepped down after the 2015 season. Fawcett will now lead the Thunder Football program into the 2016 season.
Fawcett is uniquely familiar with the Thunder Football program through his role as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for the Thunder over the past five seasons. During the 2015 season, the Thunder defense ranked first in in the country with 51 quarterback sacks, ranked second in rushing defense at 61.6 yards allowed per game, and posted two shutouts. He takes over head coach responsibilities of the Thunder Football program as the team enters its tenth season of intercollegiate play.
Fawcett is a graduate of Duluth Central High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Huron University and a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He is an experienced coach with 24 years in football at all levels. Fawcett has been an assistant coach at Duluth Central, Duluth East, and Carlton high schools, as well as in youth development leagues. Fawcett was the first head coach of the semi-pro teams in the Twin Ports (two years each with the Duluth-Superior Shoremen and the Superior Stampede) and has a head coaching record of 31-15. He was defensive line coach from 2007-2010 as part of the inaugural coaching staff at the College of St. Scholastica.
Fawcett played college football at Vermilion Community College in Ely and was inducted into the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2012. He finished his collegiate playing career at Huron University in Huron, SD, and earned all-conference and team defensive most valuable player honors. Fawcett is enthusiastic about his new opportunity with the Thunder.
“I’m appreciative to our college President Anderson and Coach Turner for this opportunity,” said Fawcett. “The program here has been successful under Coach Turner and I plan to continue operating it in the same way.”
Fawcett currently works fulltime as Probation Director for Pine County Probation, and he previously worked for 21 years with Arrowhead Regional Corrections. He has also taught classes as an adjunct instructor in the Corrections Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Coach Fawcett and his family currently reside in Hermantown.
Thunder Head Coach Keith Turner voluntarily stepped down shortly after the 2015 season, following a 26-year coaching career and his sixth leading the Thunder. He leaves with a 24-30 head coaching record with the Thunder, including four consecutive seasons of postseason playoff berths. Turner led the Thunder to their first-ever postseason playoff game, and the Thunder were the 2013 MCAC Northern Division Champions, also a first for the program.
Prior to coming to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Turner was Assistant Offensive Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for four years, and spent 16 years at Vermilion Community College including eight years as head coach and eight years as an assistant coach. Turner will remain in his role as Dean of Student Affairs at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and will support team operations in that administrative role.
“It’s been great working with our student athletes over the years,” said Turner. “I’m not going away, I just won’t be coaching anymore. I have been coaching for a very long time and I have thoroughly enjoyed every season.” In his new-found free time, Turner is looking forward to watching his son play college football and youngest daughter play high school sports.
New Thunder Football Head Coach Terry Fawcett can be reached via e-mail to tfawcett*AT*fdltcc.edu.
The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Thunder Athletics teams are a member of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference and the National Junior College Athletic Association.

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