James “Jimmer” Thornton was described by family, colleagues and students as a quiet person, but they all agreed on one thing: he loved football.
He dedicated his time and life to coaching and learning the game of football. It was his life. It seemed like everywhere Thornton coached, he brought success along with him, most notably winning the City Section title on four occasions with Birmingham High School.
Thornton died on Saturday March 30 from a heart attack at the age of 45.
In a statement, Thornton’s bother Mike Thornton describe Jimmer as gentle hearted person who touched many lives in his time coaching.
“From players to colleagues, to family and friends, those who got to know Jimmer, were better people for it,” said Mike Thornton.
Before Thornton began coaching he used to play the game he loved so much. He began coaching at the Simi Valley Vikings and Simi Valley Patriots football programs following in his father’s footsteps, according to his brother Mike Thornton.
After 15 years of coaching close to home, Thornton would take the next leap in coaching and take his coaching abilities to Van Nuys High School. In his time with Van Nuys he would fill several roles as coach. Thornton helped Van Nuys make the Los Angeles City Section 4A playoffs in 1993 and 1994, before returning to his alma mater Royal Valley High School.
In his time at Royal Valley he served as junior varsity head coach and offensive coordinator. In his five years at Royal Valley, Thornton had an overall record of 24-6. In his last two years with Royal Valley Thornton helped the team make the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, before moving onto Birmingham High School.
“He was probably the greatest coach ever,” said defensive line coach Kort Huettinger. “He’s the staple of the [Pierce’s football] program, he’s irreplaceable.”
While at Birmingham, Thornton served as the offensive coordinator and as quarterback coach. Thornton would help the Patriots win the Los Angeles City Section title in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. In 2008 Thornton would begin coaching at the junior college level with Pierce.
Thornton was brought in to help a struggling football program at Pierce, according to Mike Thornton. As was normal with Jimmer where he coached, success would follow him to Pierce as well. In his time with Pierce, Thornton helped the Brahmas win two conference titles and two bowl games.
He is survived by mother, brothers, sister, sister-in-law and nephew.
Thornton family has asked that any donations or well-wishes for Jimmer should be made to the Pierce College football program.
