Football’s offensive coordinator ‘Jimmer’ Thornton dies while visiting family

The Pierce College football team’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach died of a heart attack while visiting his sister Saturday, March 30.

James “Jimmer” Thornton was described by family, colleagues and students as quiet, dedicated man. It seemed that everyone who knew him agreed on one thing: he loved football.

His coaching career spanned more than two decades. Notably, Birmingham Community Charter High School won the City Section title four times under his watch.

“You got your coaches that yell, and then you got your coaches that are actual teachers,” said sophomore outside linebacker Omar Black. “He was a teacher.”

Mike Thornton, Pierce’s wide receivers’ coach and the late coach’s brother, described Jimmer as gentle-hearted, and said that success seemed to follow the stoic character throughout his career.

“From players to colleagues, to family and friends, those who got to know Jimmer were better people for it,” Mike Thornton said.

Thornton often came to school early to supervise players who couldn’t make the team’s afternoon workout, and Athletic Director Bob Lofrano said that showed the late coach’s dedication to his job.

“Here’s a coach going out of his way, coming in from Simi Valley, to be there at seven in the morning,” Lofrano said. “He really was more than just the offensive coordinator here.”

Head coach Efrain Martinez said Thornton was a cornerstone of Pierce’s football program.

“He’s just done so much for the program,” Martinez said. “He made the football team better. He made Pierce better. He made the kids better.”

Thornton followed in his father’s footsteps, coaching for Simi Valley Vikings and Simi Valley Patriots programs, according to his brother.

After 15 years of coaching close to home, Thornton brought his talents to Van Nuys High School.

He helped Van Nuys make the Los Angeles City Section 4A playoffs in 1993 and 1994 before coaching for his alma mater, Royal Valley High School.

In his five years at Royal, he served as junior varsity head coach and offensive coordinator and earned an overall record of 24-6. Thornton helped the team make the CIF-Southern Section playoffs before moving onto Birmingham.

“He was probably the greatest coach ever,” said defensive line coach Kort Huettinger. “He’s the staple of the program. He’s irreplaceable.”

At Birmingham, Thornton served as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. Thornton would help the Patriots win the Los Angeles City Section title in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Thornton started coaching at the junior college level with Pierce in 2008, one year after the program began.

Thornton was brought in to help Pierce’s struggling football program, according to Mike Thornton.

And, as his brother said, success followed Thornton to Pierce as well. He helped the Brahmas win two conference titles and two bowl games.

He is survived by mother, brothers, sister, sister-in-law and nephew.

Thornton’s funeral service will be at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley, Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Thornton’s family has asked that any donations or well-wishes for Jimmer should be made to the Pierce College football program.