Coach Richard Thornton

About Coach Richard Thornton

SRVA’s late Richard Thornton was an integral part of the swimming community. His entire life resided around swimming, whether he was the one competing or the one training others to compete. Coach Richard Thornton was the Head Coach of SRVA from 1984 to 2024, and lived just minutes away from where he worked. He raised his daughter Kirra Thornton with his wife Glenda in San Ramon, who also took swimming as a passion at a young age.

It was never a question if Coach Richard was going to be late for anything, he never was. His discipline, ability to plan a season, and desire to constantly learn is what made him as successful a coach as he was. Coach Richard worked with and produced numerous prestigious athletes in his time, to the likes of Matt Biondi and Anthony Ervin (see “SRVA Hall of Fame”).

All of Coach Richard’s old swimmers would be able to tell you what “80/20 Training” meant. This training methodology was the basis of Richard’s swimming philosophy, but that never stopped him from expanding his knowledge through reading or through picking people’s brains for their ideas or input on his own. The mental side of swimming was also critical to Coach Richard’s coaching. Race training and race strategy were incorporated in every one of his practices, mentally and physically.

In his spare time, Coach Richard would go on bike rides, get up early to surf with his friends in Santa Cruz, and listen to punk. He would always have something to share, whether that be a joke for the day or something he learned and wanted to share.

Coach Richard could always strike a conversation with anyone. He loved to be social and was always humble while doing so. Coach Richard Thornton would not let anything get in the way of his passion for swimming. He battled through cancer and other illnesses, yet would always persevere and get back to his second home, the pool.

To be remembered forever.

Coach Richard’s Timeline