Coach Thornton enters his 2nd season (2024-25) as the assistant coach of the SBU women's basketball team.
"I'm super excited to be part of the Southwest Baptist family!" Thornton said, "Coach Harrell and I have spoken a lot through the hiring process. I'm elated to be her first assistant coach as she embarks her journey as a first-year head coach. I'm here to bring a positive attitude and cheer, coach, and teach these young ladies and guide them through their years as a Bearcat. I have already felt embraced by the community, and I can't wait to meet more people on campus and in the community. I'm ready to hear the loud cheers in the John Q. Hammons Court. Go Bearcats!!"
"Coach Thornton is my born and raised fellow Missourian." Harrell said, "We love Christ and are both from Kansas City and that's something special within itself. He is self-driven and ambitious and while the things he values are in alignment with my vision, more importantly, they fit the mission of the institution. I love his eagerness to not only learn, but to get in and have immediate impact. He comes from a tree of legendary coaches and that wealth of knowledge makes him the Right FIT."
Thornton joins the Bearcat family after being an assistant men's basketball coach at Park University. The Pirate alum played for Park University but his time was cut short due to knee injuries, he graduated with a Bachelors in fitness and wellness. Thornton has spent the last two years on the sideline under the mentorship of current head coach, Jason Kline. During that time, he was able to develop his recruiting abilities, coordinate team logistics, work on player development with both forwards and guards, and led the JV program. While at Park University he developed both All-Conference and All-American talent including the likes of Ra Marthone, Ernest Myles, Cory Reeves, Quez Williamson, and Lucas Kroft.
Prior to Park University, Thornton returned to Cristo Rey High School as the boy's varsity head coach. With no returning varsity players, he focused on developing skill development and transferring what was developed in practice to games. His coaching career began in 2014 at AC Prep as the freshman boys coach in Kansas City, Mo.
Coach Thornton will have an essential role for the program as the only assistant coach. Coach Harrell plans for him to take charge of the post player development, strength and conditioning, team travel, on-court coaching, and a solid role in recruiting future Bearcats.
