Honors and Accomplishments
• 200th career win with UAlbany on October 7, 2018
• 250th career win with UAlbany on November 11, 2022 (NCAA First Round win)
• 2004 Scottish Coach of the Year for Youth Boys
• Took Grove Academy High School to their first U18 National Title in March 2004
• 2003 Scottish Grass Roots Coach of the Year
Coaching Experience
• Associate Head Coach, University at Albany (2013-present)
• Assistant Coach, University at Albany (2004-13)
• Head Coach, Dundee University (2002-04)
Education
• Sports Coaching and Development, University of Abertay (2004)
At UAlbany
In his tenure with Phil Sykes, Thornton has had a hand in seven NCAA Tournament appearances for the Danes, including the 2014 NCAA Semifinal run. He has been instrumental in coaching an offense that has been ranked among the nation's leaders in points per game and goals per game. As an assistant and associate head coach for the seven-time America East Champions, Thornton has coached three America East Rookies of the Year, four Midfielders of the Year, two Offensive Players of the Year and one Defensive Player of the Year. After joining the staff in 2004, Andy Thornton was elevated to Associate Head Coach in 2013.
Thornton garnered his 200th career win at UAlbany on October 7, 2018, following a 2-1 win against conference rival New Hampshire. The Great Danes finished conference play with a 6-2 record in 2018 and went on to capture both the America East regular season and tournament title. UAlbany garnered four NFHCA All-Region selections and eight All-Conference honorees including America East Defensive Player of the Year Frederike Helmke and Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Melissa Nealon. The duo also received NFHCA All-America accolades as they were selected to the second and third team, respectively.
In 2016, Thornton helped Paula Heuser be a Honda Award finalist and finish top-20 in NCAA Division I in goals, assists and point per game, totaling 17 goals, 13 assists and 47 points. The Great Danes earned their third straight America East regular season title, going 14-6 overall with a 7-1 America East record, with at least seven players earning double digit points.
Thornton saw two players rank top-five in three offensive categories in 2015. Midfield sensation Paula Heuser came in at No. 3 in points per game (3.59) and goals per game (1.55). Fiori Van Rijswijk was the national runner-up in assists per game (0.94) as a stalwart member of the penalty corner unit. The Great Danes earned an all-time program record six spots on the NFHCA All-Northeast Region team under Thornton's guidance in 2015. Also, on Oct. 2, 2015, he served as acting head coach in a 3-1 victory over Vermont.
The Great Danes won an all-time best 20 games in 2014, including the nation's best winning streak at 14 games en route to the NCAA Semifinals.
International Stage
In 2014, Thornton led the U.S. Men's Indoor field hockey squad to a silver medal at the 2014 Pan-Am games in Uruguay as the team's head coach. He previously held the women's head coach position in which he led the team to a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Venezuela in 2010 and a silver medal in Argentina in 2008.
Playing Career
As a player, Thornton was a member of the Menzieshill men's field hockey club, which competes at the top indoor and outdoor levels. Thornton has won 11 national titles and played in 11 European Cups, representing Scotland. He has played in Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, France, Russia, Denmark, Austria, Scotland and Poland, winning gold, two silver and bronze European medals. Thornton has played on the Scottish outdoor and indoor senior teams, including a match against then-reigning World and Olympic Champion Germany in 2008.
In December 2008, Thornton captained Scotland in a tri-nations tournament against England and Australia. Thornton would again captain Scotland at the European Championships in 2010, Poznan, Poland and 2012, Lignano, Italy.
Thornton retired from international hockey in 2012 and from competitive European club hockey in 2015.
Personal
A native of Dundee, Scotland, Thornton resides in Glenmont, N.Y. with his wife, Whitney, and daughter, Ava.
He is an accomplished squash player and plays regularly at the Fort Orange Club.
