Bio

Jeff Thurman is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the North Platte Community College Knights women's basketball program. A native of Abingdon, Illinois, Thurman has compiled a 98-115 overall record during his tenure, transforming the program into a consistent regional contender.

Under his leadership, the Knights have captured five Region IX Championships (2018-19, 2021, 2021-22, 2023-24, and 2024-25), three NJCAA Northwest Plains District Championships (2018-19, 2021, and 2024-25), and have made three appearances in the NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Tournament.

The 2024-25 season marked a historic milestone for the program, as Thurman guided the Knights to their first-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance in school history. That season also saw the team break multiple school records, including field goals made (858), offensive rebounds (598), total rebounds (1,465), and total points scored (2,255).

During the 2021-22 campaign, the Knights posted an undefeated record in Region IX play, and Thurman was honored with his second Region IX Coach of the Year award. That same season, the Knights set a then-school record for wins (22) and spent much of the season receiving votes in the NJCAA National Poll.

Several program records set during the 2021-22 season still stand, including three-point field goals made (181), three-point attempts (724), and defensive rebounds (907).

Throughout his time at North Platte, Coach Thurman has developed and mentored numerous standout players. Seventeen student-athletes have earned All-Region IX honors under his guidance, including:
Nahatabaa Nacona, Madisyn Francis, Emily Joseph, Diamond Moore-Heath, Kayla Pope, Janay Brauer, Jada Ballard, Jordyn Moon, Fumnanya Ijeh, Jada Grigsby, Dazjanae Greene, Reece Halley, Sam Riggles, Jada Thompson, Nevaeh Golden, and EmmaJo Locks.

Before joining NPCC, Thurman served as a recruiting coordinator and academic advisor at Carl Sandburg College during the 2017-18 season, while also assisting with the men’s basketball program. He previously worked as a graduate assistant and video coordinator at Western Illinois University, where he earned a Master of Science in Sports Management in 2017.

Thurman’s head coaching career began in 2016 at Black Hawk East College in Galva, Illinois, where he led the women’s basketball team to a 23-8 record in his first season.