Kevin Robert Jannusch

Kevin Robert Jannusch of Decatur, Ill., formerly of Maroa, Ill., and Vincennes, Ind., died Thursday, Oct. 16, in Banner University Medical Center, Phoenix, Ariz. He was 59.

“Coach J” was known throughout the country in the women’s fast pitch softball community as a collegiate coach, club organization founder, and clinician. The highlights of his career were an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament as head coach of the Ashford University (Clinton, Iowa) Saints in 2016, and the founding and development of The Hearts of Texas elite girls organization in Austin, beginning in the late 1990s.

Kevin’s love of the women’s fast pitch game began as an assistant with the Decatur Lady Pride, under the tutelage of the late Mike Hayes. From his home in Central Illinois, he traveled to Texas, where he founded the Hearts and got his first collegiate coaching job at St. Edward’s University in Austin. He served as head women’s softball coach at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, from 2002 to 2007, where he also served for a time as sports information director; at Ashford University from 2010 to 2016, when the Clinton campus closed; and New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM, from 2020 to 2023.

Along the way, he was also an assistant or pitching coach at Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) University, San Marcos; University of Evansville (Ind.); Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio; University of Texas-San Antonio; and Missouri Valley College, Marshall, Mo. From 2018 to 2020, he was a college softball scout for National Scouting Report, where he guided prospects in earning scholarships to continue their softball careers. He received a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colo.

During his career, Coach J taught hundreds of girls and young women, many of whom went on to become teachers and coaches themselves. He served as a staff member on national select teams that toured Poland and Australia. He coached high school All-Staters and NCAA Division 1 athletes. He taught dozens upon dozens of clinics and gave thousands of private lessons. He was ever a student of the game he loved.

Kevin was born August 20, 1966, in Bloomington, Ill., the second child of Hilton “Bubs” and Nancy (Ribley) Jannusch. He was raised from age one in Maroa, Ill., where he graduated from Maroa-Forsyth High School in 1984. At Maroa-Forsyth, he was center and defensive tackle for the 1983 state finalist football team, and a member of the 1981 state finalist football team. He was also a member of the 1982 MFHS state semi-finalist baseball team. Kevin was inducted into the Maroa-Forsyth Hall of Fame in 2025, as a member of all three teams. Following high school, Kevin played football at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, and Millikin University, Decatur, Ill.

Kevin was a member of the renowned Decatur Park Singers and Young Park Singers in the mid-1980s and maintained a love of music throughout his life. He loved to keep in touch with 80s DPS friends, sing karaoke with his family, play guitar, and find up-and-coming new artists to see in concert. He was an ardent, lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys. Kevin was also darned good Texas Hold ’em player, and logged many wins at home tournaments with friends in Vincennes, and Smokin’ Aces Poker league in Central Illinois.

Survivors who cherish his memory include his older sister, Marsha Jannusch Fleming and her wife Lisa Ritterskamp of Vincennes, Ind.; and his younger brother, Michael Jannusch and his wife Susie of Phoenix. He is also survived by aunt and uncle, Jeannie and Louis Sievers II of Vincennes; uncle, Gene Jannusch of Normal; and aunt, Shirley Jannusch Brown of Bloomington; plus a host of cousins, and former students, players and parents from coast-to-coast. He was preceded in death by his father in 1987, and his mother in 2007.

A celebration of Kevin's life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. (central time) on Sunday, Nov. 23. Kevin's family will receive callers at a reception at 1 Worthington Court, Bloomington, Ill. Dress is casual. Friends wishing to commemorate Kevin’s life are encouraged to send memorial contributions to the Maroa-Forsyth Athletic Fund, in care of MF Foundation, 610 W. Washington St., Maroa IL, 61756. Please write Kevin Jannusch in the memo.