Nort Thornton Goes Deeper Into His Dismissal from the University of California

BERKELEY, California, July 27. IN an interview with Swimming World Magazine, former head men's swimming coach at the University of California Nort Thornton explained some more of the details behind his recent dismissal from the team.

"The total truth will eventually come out, so I want to explain it now," Thornton said to Swimming World Magazine. "I actually retired from the University of California last spring with an effective date of August 1 this year in order to free up salary for the upcoming season to keep Mike Bottom and Bart Kizierowski on staff. I did this to help with a smooth transition."

Even with Thornton's official retirement as the head coach of the men's team at California, as stated in the university's release, Thornton had planned on continuing his involvement with the program.

Thornton went on to say that California would not give Bottom or Kizierowski any guarantees that they would be on staff this upcoming season, even though Thornton would remain as a "volunteer" head coach.

"When Mike resigned to take over The Race Club [as reported by Swimming World Magazine here], I think that the athletics department took this as an opportunity to make a change. They said that they did not want me on deck or to go to Nationals so that they could begin with a job search."

As related in Thornton's e-mail sent out to various swim team members and those connected to the program, his dismissal from the university was from his volunteer position.

However, Thornton reiterated his desire to Swimming World Magazine that he plans on remaining a coach.

"I love to coach," Thornton said. "I will continue to coach, and will find a position where I can remain on deck. I also plan on attending Nationals and the American Swim Coaches Association convention."

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