The NFHS is proud to name Bill Thorn of Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia as the 2018-19 Boys Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year!

Few coaches have had a long and storied a career as Bill Thorn: He coached for over 50 years, was named Coach of the Year 125+ times from various organizations and receive the honor of a stadium bearing his name. In the Spring of 2019, Coach Thorn retired at the age of 89, but you can bet that he'll still be a fixture on the track. The NFHS is proud to name Bill Thorn as the 2018-19 Boys Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year! 

School: Landmark Christian School

Seasons Coaching: 45 | State Championships: 13

Coaching Highlights: 125 Coach of the Year Awards over 45 year coaching career, NFHS South Sectional Coach of the Year - Boys Track and Field (2004), and top 8 for NHSACA National Coach of the Year (2003).

Track and stadium at Landmark Christian School dedicated as the "William J. Thorn Stadium" (1998), honorary Meet Director and speaker for Georgia Olympics (2008), hosted the inaugural Sections Track Meet for Class A Public and Private Schools (2011-12), hosted 3 Sectional Track Meets (2012-15), Track and Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame (2003), NHSACA Southeast winner in Boys and Girls Track and Field (2003), and Sports Champions of Greater Atlanta (SCOGA) Hall of Fame (2004). 

Philosophy of Athletics

Having coached for over 50 years in five sports, Coach Thorn retired in the Spring of 2019 at the age of 89. From the beginning of his coaching career, he searched for a program to teach each of his athletes how to reach their maximum potential. After spending a few years researching, experimenting, etc., he came up with a program that he used from 25 years. He has never deviated from it, because it works. This program works for all sports. Everyone is seeking the "magic bullet", but there is none. His philosophy is that you must do first things first, and first things right, before you can advance to the next level. The basics must be set in and accomplished in order to compete at a higher level. The KEY to coaching and winning championships is having a coach who can get their athletes to follow the program, day in and day out, consistently. But it's not all about winning, winning is a by-product of the hard work and effort each athlete chooses to put in to the program. It is about setting in principles to live and work by, it involves hard work and perseverance. These principles can not only be applied to sports, but in everyday life to get you through the tough times. It is only for those who do it - it's not easy, but the results in competition and life are worth it. God has given him the strength and longevity to have coached for over 50 years, and he wouldn't trade it for anything.

See all of the 2018-19 National Coach of the Year recipients in our press release.