09/04/2026
San Gabriel Elite is proud to welcome Brian Thornton back to the SG Elite family as a Technical Advisor.
Brian is no stranger to San Gabriel Elite. During his previous time with SG Elite, he played an important role in developing high-level athletes and teams competing on the national stage. His return gives our players and coaches access to a tremendous depth of knowledge in technical development, offensive systems, game strategy, positional training, and what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Brian brings an exceptional combination of playing and coaching experience to the program. He currently serves as an Assistant Coach with LOVB Austin of League One Volleyball and has most recently coached at the collegiate level with Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and the University of Oklahoma.
A former U.S. Men’s National Team setter, Brian represented Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and competed internationally in the World League, World Cup, NORCECA Championships, Pan American Cup, and World University Games. He later transitioned into coaching at the national-team level, serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, bringing his experience as an elite setter and international competitor to the next generation of athletes.
Brian starred collegiately at UC Irvine, where he was a two-time All-American, helped lead the Anteaters to the 2007 NCAA National Championship, and finished his career as the program’s all-time assists leader. His professional playing career also took him overseas, where he competed in Spain, France, and Poland.
