This is just a tragedy. Condolences to his family as well as the Pirate family. A young man (only 27) is generational Charlotte County and played for the Pirates.
From Sun Preps:
Port Charlotte Pirates offensive line coach Jace Norus, shown here directing linemen through drills during a 2018 football practice, passed away this weekend. He was 27.
Before coaching at Port Charlotte, Jace Norus was an offensive lineman for the Pirates. This is Norus going through drills during his senior year with the team in 2013.
PORT CHARLOTTE – The oft-injured kid didn’t stay away from Jordan Ingman’s football program for very long.
Just two years after graduating from Port Charlotte High, former offensive lineman Jace Norus returned. Still just a sophomore in college, Norus had no intention of waiting for graduation before launching his coaching career.
As the years passed, he climbed the ranks inside the Pirates’ coaching hierarchy. Once he graduated, he slid seamlessly into the PCHS staff directory, rising to assistant athletic director, as well as Ingman’s offensive line coach.
He turned down other, more lucrative and potentially higher-profile positions at other schools.
“He was self-made,” Ingman said. “Very impressive. But he was for us.”
Norus passed away over the weekend. He was 27. Memorial services have not yet been finalized.
“He was funny, he was authentic, he was a hard worker,” Ingman said. “He was everything you wanted to coach with. He was the total package.”
As the news slowly made its way through Pirate Nation on Saturday, waves of emotion washed over Ingman. With each call from shocked players, past and present, the heartache was renewed.
“They loved him,” Ingman said. “My phone has been ringing off the wall all day from his former players. His players just adored him. He was the coach that all the kids wanted to hang out with in the classroom because he was just so true. So pure.”
At any Port Charlotte football practice, Norus’ energy could be felt before it was seen. Unsurprisingly, the Pirates’ offensive line has been one of the deepest and most talented units in the program year after year under his tutelage.
Off the field, he earned his master’s degree at Florida Gulf Coast University and, earlier this year, he married his high school sweetheart, Nikole.
Coaching was a singular passion for Norus. Ahead of his senior year with the Pirates in 2013, Norus told The Daily Sun his only goal was to win a district title before giving up the game and turning his attention to coaching.
The Pirates did indeed win the district crown that season.
Norus was back on the Pirates’ practice field by 2015, and became a full-time coach as soon as he graduated from college a few years later.
“And not just coaching, but coaching here,” Ingman said. “He had been offered athletic director jobs. He had been offered better jobs, but he took a pay cut to stay at Port Charlotte High School. To be here. To coach these kids.
“He loved the school and he loved these kids. He was … he was everything.”"
From Sun Preps:
"PREP FOOTBALL: Beloved Pirates football assistant Norus passes away
- By Patrick Obley Sports Editor Jul 9, 2023
Port Charlotte Pirates offensive line coach Jace Norus, shown here directing linemen through drills during a 2018 football practice, passed away this weekend. He was 27.
- PHOTO BY TOM O’NEIL
Before coaching at Port Charlotte, Jace Norus was an offensive lineman for the Pirates. This is Norus going through drills during his senior year with the team in 2013.
PORT CHARLOTTE – The oft-injured kid didn’t stay away from Jordan Ingman’s football program for very long.
Just two years after graduating from Port Charlotte High, former offensive lineman Jace Norus returned. Still just a sophomore in college, Norus had no intention of waiting for graduation before launching his coaching career.
As the years passed, he climbed the ranks inside the Pirates’ coaching hierarchy. Once he graduated, he slid seamlessly into the PCHS staff directory, rising to assistant athletic director, as well as Ingman’s offensive line coach.
He turned down other, more lucrative and potentially higher-profile positions at other schools.
“He was self-made,” Ingman said. “Very impressive. But he was for us.”
Norus passed away over the weekend. He was 27. Memorial services have not yet been finalized.
“He was funny, he was authentic, he was a hard worker,” Ingman said. “He was everything you wanted to coach with. He was the total package.”
As the news slowly made its way through Pirate Nation on Saturday, waves of emotion washed over Ingman. With each call from shocked players, past and present, the heartache was renewed.
“They loved him,” Ingman said. “My phone has been ringing off the wall all day from his former players. His players just adored him. He was the coach that all the kids wanted to hang out with in the classroom because he was just so true. So pure.”
At any Port Charlotte football practice, Norus’ energy could be felt before it was seen. Unsurprisingly, the Pirates’ offensive line has been one of the deepest and most talented units in the program year after year under his tutelage.
Off the field, he earned his master’s degree at Florida Gulf Coast University and, earlier this year, he married his high school sweetheart, Nikole.
Coaching was a singular passion for Norus. Ahead of his senior year with the Pirates in 2013, Norus told The Daily Sun his only goal was to win a district title before giving up the game and turning his attention to coaching.
The Pirates did indeed win the district crown that season.
Norus was back on the Pirates’ practice field by 2015, and became a full-time coach as soon as he graduated from college a few years later.
“And not just coaching, but coaching here,” Ingman said. “He had been offered athletic director jobs. He had been offered better jobs, but he took a pay cut to stay at Port Charlotte High School. To be here. To coach these kids.
“He loved the school and he loved these kids. He was … he was everything.”"
