Coach Thornton begins his third season as the Head Coach of Men and Women's Tennis at Tennesse Wesleyan College. Coach Thornton is from Chattanooga, TN and is a graduate of The McCallie School. Thornton received a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville the summer of 2008. Coach Thornton lettered in tennis four years at the University of Tennessee. As a student-athlete at UTK he was a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, representing the tennis team.

In 2009, Coach Thornton lead the Men's team to a 7-6 overall record and 4-1 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Women's team finished third in the conference with a 3-2 record and 5-6 overall.  In 2010, the Men's team was 11-5 overall and 6-2 in the AAC, placing 2nd in the conference.   After being ranked in the top 25 of the NAIA, the Men's team recieved an at large bid to the National Tournament.   The women's team was 6-11 overall, and 6-2 in the AAC.  Coach Thornton lead the team to an AAC Tournament Championship.  The Lady Bulldogs also traveled to the NAIA National Tournament in Mobile, Alabama.