 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1933 |
| Died | April 21, 2021 (aged 87) |
| Alma mater | San Jose State University (1956) Stanford University |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1956–1960 | Los Altos HS (CA) |
| 1960–1974 | Foothill |
| 1974–2007 | U. California Berkeley |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 231–85 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 NCAA Division I (1979–1980) 8 national junior college 4 Northern CIF (1957–1960) | |
| Awards | |
| International Swimming Hall of Fame (1995) Cal Athletics Hall of Fame (2010) 4× Pac-10 Coach of the Year | |
Norton Thornton Jr. (1933 – April 21, 2021) was the head coach of the California Golden Bears men's swimming and diving team at the University of California, Berkeley from 1974 through 2007, where he led the team to NCAA national championships in 1979 and 1980. Formerly, he coached Northern California's Los Altos High School, Los Altos Swim Club and Foothill Junior College, leading them to national recognition from 1956 through 1974.[1]