PRESS RELEASE – Opelika City Schools
June 16, 2021
Jessica Thornton named new head softball coach at Opelika High School
Opelika, AL—Jessica Thornton has been named the new head softball coach at Opelika High School. Originally from Vancouver, WA, Thornton has most recently been an Assistant Softball Coach at the University of Louisiana, Monroe (ULM). “We are extremely excited to welcome Coach Thornton to Opelika as our new head softball coach,” stated Dr. Farrell Seymore, OHS Principal. “We look forward to Coach Thornton contributing to the rich tradition at OHS. Her expertise and student-centered approach to teaching and coaching will help our students for years to come.”
Thornton began her ULM coaching career as a volunteer coach and was hired as an assistant coach in August 2015. Prior to coaching, Thornton was awarded multiple honors as a collegiate player. She began her career at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) in Oregon and completed her career at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. In 2010, she was named the Southern Region Player of the Year and helped lead MHCC to a combined 69-18 record, back-to-back NWAACC titles, and the Southern Region Title. Thornton was named to the Louisville Slugger NFCA NWAACC All-American Team and was the MHCC Female Athlete of the Year in 2011. “I am super excited for the opportunity to advance the softball program at OHS and to be able to work with the kids to help them achieve their goals on and off the field,” stated Thornton.
Thornton earned both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Jacksonville State University. She is married to Cole Thornton and they have two sons, ages (almost) 3 and 9 months.