Jim Rexilius

Jim Rexilius
Biographical details
Born(1932-04-23)April 23, 1932
Ithaca, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedJune 25, 2003(2003-06-25) (aged 71)
Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1981Wheaton (IL)
Head coaching record
Overall2–7 (college)
177–77 (high school)

James A. Rexilius (April 23, 1932 – June 25, 2003) was an American football coach. He was one of the more prominent and successful coaches in the Chicago area during his career.[1] In 1992, he was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.[2]

Coaching career

High school

Rexilius spent most of his career at Wheaton North High School, where he coached high school football and other sports.[3] In his 27-year coaching career, Rexilius twice led his high-school teams to state championships—first in 1979 and again in 1986 after returning to the secondary-school level.[3] When he retired as head coach, his overall high school record was 177 wins and 77 losses.[4] It was at Wheaton North that he mentored a young Chuck Long toward a career in coaching.[5]

Wheaton (IL)

Rexilius was head football coach at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois for the 1981 season, compiling a record of 2–7.

Death

Rexilius died of liver cancer, on June 25, 2003, at his home in Wheaton.[6][7]

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Wheaton Crusaders (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) (1981)
1981 Wheaton 2–7 1–7 9th
Wheaton: 2–7 1–7
Total: 2–7

[8][9]

References

  1. ^ Bell, Taylor (2010). Dusty, Deek, and Mr. Do-Right: High School Football in Illinois. University of Illinois Press. p. 230. ISBN 9780252077319. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  2. ^ "Hall of Fame (directory)". Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Michael Kates. "James `Jim' Rexilius, 71, longtime Wheaton N. coach," Chicago Tribune, June 26, 2003. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  4. ^ Sakamoto, Bob (December 6, 1995). "Rexilius Resigns As Football Coach At Wheaton N." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  5. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (June 28, 2011). "Iowa star Chuck Long reflects on career". ESPN. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  6. ^ "Funeral service is set for Rexilius". Chicago Tribune. June 27, 2003. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "James Rexilius". Chicago Suburban Daily Herald. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  8. ^ "NCAA Statistics; Coach; Jim Rexilius". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  9. ^ "Wheaton Football Year-By-Year Records". Wheaton College. Retrieved January 12, 2026.