Completed Event: Volleyball versus Missouri State on August 29, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 1
Final
Volleyball
3
vs Missouri State
1
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Volleyball
Thornton, Brian
Brian Thornton
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- brian.thornton@ou.edu
Brian Thornton begins his third season at Oklahoma in 2025 after helping lead the Sooners to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
Thornton leads OU’s efforts in film breakdown and opponent scouting, while specializing in coaching OU’s setters. In 2024, Thornton led senior Payton Chamberlain to a milestone achievement as she reached 3,000 career assists.
A native Californian, Thornton joined the Sooners in 2023 following an assistant coaching tenure under head coach Aaron Mansfield at Loyola Marymount.
Thornton leads OU’s efforts in film breakdown and opponent scouting, while specializing in coaching OU’s setters.
In 2022, Thornton helped Loyola Marymount to 18-10 overall and 13-5 (third place) conference records, and to the program's 15th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Starting in 2017, Thornton also served as the U.S. Men's National Team's assistant coach through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
A graduate of UC Irvine, Thornton ended his collegiate career as UCI's all-time assist leader with 4,662. The two-time All-American was a member of the Anteaters' 2007 national championship team.
After college, Thornton began an extensive playing career with the U.S. Men's National Team, culminating in a trip to the 2012 Olympic Games as the backup setter, where the team finished fifth overall. With the U.S., he also competed in the 2011 and 2012 World League (silver in 2011), 2011 World Cup, 2011 NORCECA Men's Continental Championships (silver), 2009 and 2010 Pan American Cup (gold both times), and the 2007 World University Games (bronze).
Thornton also played professionally, with stints in Spain, France and Poland.
Thornton leads OU’s efforts in film breakdown and opponent scouting, while specializing in coaching OU’s setters. In 2024, Thornton led senior Payton Chamberlain to a milestone achievement as she reached 3,000 career assists.
A native Californian, Thornton joined the Sooners in 2023 following an assistant coaching tenure under head coach Aaron Mansfield at Loyola Marymount.
Thornton leads OU’s efforts in film breakdown and opponent scouting, while specializing in coaching OU’s setters.
In 2022, Thornton helped Loyola Marymount to 18-10 overall and 13-5 (third place) conference records, and to the program's 15th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Starting in 2017, Thornton also served as the U.S. Men's National Team's assistant coach through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
A graduate of UC Irvine, Thornton ended his collegiate career as UCI's all-time assist leader with 4,662. The two-time All-American was a member of the Anteaters' 2007 national championship team.
After college, Thornton began an extensive playing career with the U.S. Men's National Team, culminating in a trip to the 2012 Olympic Games as the backup setter, where the team finished fifth overall. With the U.S., he also competed in the 2011 and 2012 World League (silver in 2011), 2011 World Cup, 2011 NORCECA Men's Continental Championships (silver), 2009 and 2010 Pan American Cup (gold both times), and the 2007 World University Games (bronze).
Thornton also played professionally, with stints in Spain, France and Poland.
VB Highlights: OU 3, Abilene Christian 0
Saturday, August 30
VB Highlights: OU 3, Incarnate Word 0
Friday, August 29
VB Highlights: OU 3, Missouri State 1
Friday, August 29
Problem Solvers: Beyond The Game - Alexis Shelton
Tuesday, April 29
