Just sort of happened: Many athletes graduate from college with designs on returning to the high schools from which they attended to coach.
That wasn't the case with Thornhill, who's married (Deanne) with two children (Chase, 10; Taylor, 7).
Primarily a shortstop, he played at Bullard, Fresno City, Cal State Northridge, two years in the Cleveland Indians organization and then three all-star seasons in the independent Northern League.
He then remained in the Northern League and launched his coaching career by assisting two years under former 10-year major leaguer Hal Lanier (eight years with San Francisco Giants).
Thornhill then assisted coach Mike Batesole at Fresno State for three seasons while completing a degree in Spanish and a master's in kinesiology and sports administration.
At the same time, by chance, Bullard's baseball job opened, and Thornhill received a phone call: "It just sort of worked out. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and, after assisting for so long at different levels, I didn't know what to expect.
"This is the place I cut my teeth as a player under (coach Mike Noakes). And it's amazing the memories of what baseball is supposed to be like. It's worked out wonderfully."
Boys basketball All-Star Player of the Year: Darrin Person Jr.
Stacia Williams is The Bee's girls soccer player of the year
All-Bee Teams
The Bee's Winter All-Stars: Wrestler of the Year Justin Mejia of Clovis
By Nick Giannandrea
nickg@fresnobee.com
Clovis High's Justin Mejia is The Bee's Wrestler of the Year after winning his third CIF State Championship.
MORE ALL-BEE ATHLETES
All-Bee Athletes
The Bee's Fall All-Stars: Girls Tennis Player of Year Janie Ellis
The Bee's Fall All-Stars: Girls Golfer of Year, Hayden Mammen
The Bee's Spring All-Stars: Softball Player of the Year Cameryn Reichle
The Bee's Spring All-Stars: Boys Golfer of the Year Lane Pulliam
The Bee's Spring All-Stars: Baseball Player of the Year Zach Ashford
The Bee's Spring All-Stars: Boys Tennis Player of the Year Daly Meinert