Thornton:
Played at Vanderbilt: 2001-03
Played at Xavier: 2004-06
Professional basketball in Germany: 2006-07
Volunteer assistant at Xavier: 2007
Director of Basketball Operations at Xavier: 2007-08
Assistant coach at Xavier: 2008-10
Assistant coach at Furman: 2010-11
Assistant coach at Winthrop: 2011-13
Named Assistant coach at Ball State: May, 9, 2014
Brian Thornton has been named an assistant coach for the Ball State men’s basketball program.
Thornton spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Winthrop. He also has been an assistant at Furman, as well as serving as director of basketball operations for two years at Xavier. In college, Thornton ranked top 10 in the nation for his shooting percentage with .640 at Xavier and became the university’s first men’s basketball player to earn Academic All-America honors. He has played professionally in Germany.
Q: How have you grown as a coach?
A: I think every year, you try to find ways to get better and try to take on additional responsibilities. In my first year [at Furman], I chipped in and did things, but it wasn’t like I was responsible for a huge piece. When I left for Winthrop, my responsibilities increased. I went from being responsible for some post play development to being our defensive coordinator and preparing for scouting reports. I did a ton of scouting through film, as well as recruiting in a bigger geographical area.
Q: What is your relationship like with Whitford?
A: Coach Whitford is a guy I’ve known for going on 10 years now. He came in my senior year [at Xavier] and was responsible for post players. We had a working relationship, more than just any assistant would. ... I’ve always thought he was a guy who was genuine, somebody that I respected and somebody who I really felt cared about the guys that he worked with, the players, and the program. ... It was attractive when he reached out to me because of that relationship. He’s been a guy that I’ve always kept in touch with. I’ve always valued his opinion as it relates to this coaching profession.
Q: What can you bring to the team?
A: I think I can bring hopefully a lot of different things. I’m a former player and I’m 31. From that standpoint, I’m not so far removed that I can relate to the current guys on the team. I think it’s beneficial that I’m a former player and have had success both collegiately and professionally because for the players, it automatically gives me a level of respect that they have because I’ve done it and been there before. From a basketball standpoint, I think I’m well-versed, especially in the system that coach Whitford wants to run. Unlike many places as an assistant where you’re a fly on the wall early on, I think I can be a contributor from day one.
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