Keiser University Athletics

Thornton’s Topic

• Entering his third season at Keiser and first as the full time assistant coach of the Seahawks men’s and women’s tennis teams.
• In his time, he has helped the men to a 41-9 record and the women to a 26-17 mark.
• Assisted with seven combined NAIA All-Americans, 18 combined TSC All-Conference honorees
• Helped guide the men to the program’s first-ever NAIA semifinal appearance in 2017
• In 2017, he helped the women’s squad to its first NAIA semifinal appearance since 2003
• Assisted Keiser to two TSC Regular Season and TSC Tournament Championships with the men’s squad
• Both the men and women to back-to-back NAIA Tournament appearances

 
Pre-Keiser
Prior to arriving at Keiser, Thornton was named the NAIA National Assistant Coach of the Year at Lindsey Wilson in 2015. Thornton began working with Coach Finn at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2012-13, helping the men complete their winningest season in school history along with the team’s first victory in the NCAA tournament.
 
Thornton began coaching in 2008 as the head coach at Tennessee Wesleyan for four years. In that time, he led the men’s and women’s teams to their first NAIA National Tournament appearance in program history. During his tenure, he coached 28 All-Conference players.
 
Playing Career
Thornton played four years at the University of Tennessee, helping them to their highest ranking of No. 11 in the country.
 
Thornton had a successful junior playing career, highlighted in 2002 when he achieved the ranking of No. 1 in the state of Tennessee, 18 and under group. He was also selected to represent Tennessee in the Junior Davis Cup, helping them to a second place finish.