University of St. Francis (III.)

Kristopher Norton joined the Fighting Saints in July of 2005 as an assistant coach for the football team to the wide receivers and return specialists.  In the 2006 season, he assisted with the offensive line and tight ends.  In July of 2019, Norton returned to the Saints as an assistant coach to the offensive line and running backs.  The 2024-25 season will mark Norton’s combined eighth year as assistant coach.

At St. Francis, Norton assists the program in coordination of practice plans, individual player development, assisting in training sessions, and implementation of game strategies.

Prior to joining the Fighting Saints staff, Norton spent five seasons (2014-2018) as an assistant football coach at NCAA Division III Elmhurst University (Ill.), which included three seasons (2016-2018) as the Blue Jays’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.  Norton was the pass-game coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach for the 2015 season after serving as wide receivers’ coach in the 2014 campaign.

From 2013-14, Norton served as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers’ coach at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill.  While as an assistant coach for the Friars, he helped guide the program to back-to-back IHSA 7A Playoff Second-Round appearances.  In 2011, Norton coached the wide receiver position for the Arena League’s Chicago Rush, a year in which the team claimed the Central Division Championship title with a 13-5 record.  Before is stop at Fenwick, Norton spent four years (2007-2010) coaching at Ridgewood High School in Norridge, Ill. as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Norton graduated from NCAA Division III Carthage College (Wis.) in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and earned his teaching certification from Trinity Christian College in 2010.  While at Carthage (1995-99), Norton was a two-time All-Conference selection at wide receiver and return specialist in 1995 and 1996.  Upon graduation, he spent the next year as a member of the 2000 Quad City Steamwheelers of the Arena Football League 2 at both the wide receiver and defensive back positions.