Western Michigan reportedly set to hire MSU QB Payton Thorne's dad as offensive coordinator

Western Michigan football is set to hire a new offensive coordinator, making the 2022 season opener chock full of story lines.

According to 247Sports and footballscoop.com, Broncos coach Tim Lester is hiring Jeff Thorne, the head coach at Division III North Central College, where in six seasons he led the team to a national title in 2019 and a runner-up last season. Thorne's team went 27-2 over those two seasons (there was no Division III season in 2020).

JEFF SEIDEL: Named after 'Sweetness,' Michigan State QB Payton Thorne was born for big moments

Thorne is also the father of Michigan State football quarterback Payton Thorne. Payton was once committed to play for Lester at WMU out of high school but later changed his commitment to MSU late in 2018.

The Spartans host Western Michigan to open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 at Spartan Stadium.

Lester and Thorne worked together at North Central College under Thorne's father, John, who was Lester's head coach at Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Illinois.

Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Western Michigan football to hire Jeff Thorne as offensive coordinator