Carl Torbush died, according to the ETSU sports department, although the actual cause of death has not been divulged. He died on Sunday, November 6, 2023, at the age of 72. Carl Torbush was a former American football coach who had a lengthy and successful coaching career.
He started coaching in high school before going on to college. Throughout his career, he has coached at Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, and Carson-Newman College. He also served as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University in 1987, the University of North Carolina from 1997 to 2000, and East Tennessee State University from 2013 to 2017. Overall, he has a 31-48 career head coaching record and spent 42 years as a college football coach.
Carl Torbush’s Cause of Death and Obituary
Carl Torbush, an East Spencer native, died quietly in his sleep on Sunday night, November 6, 2023. The ETSU sports department issued an official announcement of his death. Torbush was diagnosed with ALS last week, but the particular cause of death was not released. He has previously battled cancer. He was diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer in 2010 while serving as Kansas’ defensive coordinator, and he had surgery to address it.
He made a full recovery and returned to coaching before retiring in December 2017. Carl Torbush’s wife, Janet, And Son Trey Torbush. Trey Torbush is the son of the late Carl Torbush and his wife Janet. Trey Torbush (born February 26, 1990) attended American Christian Academy before moving on to Carson-Newman, where he played football for the Eagles.
Football Community Responds to His Loss
ETSU President Brian Norland said the late coach will be remembered for his vision and integrity. Norland complimented Torbush’s leadership and advice as the school resumed its football program after a decade-long sabbatical. UNC’s Mack Brown revealed his opinions on Torbush by writing on X (previously Twitter).
“We lost a terrific guy too early. Coach Torbush had a significant beneficial impact on many people’s lives. He enjoyed the game of football, particularly defense. Brown also mentioned Torbush’s position as the architect of one of college football’s best defenses during the 1996 and 1997 seasons at Carolina. Carolina Football also joined in, writing on X to offer their sympathies to Coach Torbush’s family during this difficult time.
