Peoria High football coach Tim Thornton resigns after 14 seasons

Tim Thornton is moving on from Peoria High.

After 14 years as the Lions head football coach, Thornton announced his resignation on Monday morning. He is headed to Lely High School in Naples, Florida, where former Richwoods player Ben Hammer is the head coach.

“While building that program and creating those opportunities, I have unlocked a new path for my family and myself,” Thornton said in a statement. “With that said, I will be passing the torch to my staff at Peoria High, and joining my friend and former assistant at Lely High School in Naples, Florida beginning next semester.”

In total, 139 of Thornton’s players signed to play college football at the next level, including three players who made the NFL in Kendrick Green (Houston Texans), LaCale London (Atlanta Falcons) and Josh Augusta (Kansas City Chiefs).

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“Student athletes, through these doors have made millions and millions of dollars,” Thornton said in the statement. “We have put banners and plaques on the walls, we have put trophies in the case, but I’ll never be more proud of the opportunities we’ve created by helping so many of them become men.”

Thornton compiled a record of 94-50 at Peoria High. His tenure was highlighted by winning the 2016 Class 5A state championship, setting the record for most points in a season (805) in the process. That mark stood for seven seasons until Byron broke it with 823 points during this season's Class 3A state championship run.

Peoria High also finished as the 2022 5A state runner-up and made the playoffs nine times during Thornton's time.

The former Woodruff football coach was hired at Peoria High in December 2009 after Woodruff was closed at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. He became the 11th football coach at Central since 1919, replacing Gary Beard, who had spent the previous three seasons at the helm.

"With the alumni base and the community support," Thornton told the Journal Star when he was hired, "I feel like if the right person comes in here and asks for that support, this can becomes the community's school."

Five Journal Star players of the year — Malachi Washington (2022), Eddie Clark (offensive POY, 2020), Gabe Hernandez (2019), Kendrick Green (2016) and Jason Bennett (2015) — came from the program during Thornton's time.

From the archives: Peoria High coach Tim Thornton wins — on and off the field

Thornton's up-tempo, fast-paced offense and "Fast. Hard. Finish"’" mantra had the proclivity to score points.

Four of the state’s top-10 most points in a game between two teams involve Peoria High. An 82-80 victory over Peoria Notre Dame on Nov. 15, 2016, stands as the top-scoring game in Illinois High School Association history.

The 96 points scored against Decatur Eisenhower in 2016 is still tops among 5A playoff teams for most points in a game.

“Our mission statement has always been to create more opportunities for the kids than they would’ve had without us,” Thornton said in a statement. “Our motto “Win the city”, was never about beating anyone on the field. We simply wanted to become the program that anyone, at any age, wanted to be involved with.”

Peoria High went 7-3 this past season but was forced to forfeit those victories after the IHSA ruled the Lions used an ineligible player.

More: Peoria High will forfeit 2023 football season after IHSA rules team used ineligible player

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria football coach resigns after 14 seasons to take job in Florida