Kyle Thornton is the assistant defensive line coach for Wake Forest football in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He joined Coach Jake Dickert's staff in March 2024 as a defensive quality control staff member after playing for Dickert at Washington State.
Thornton spent six seasons as a Washington State linebacker from 2019 to 2024, rising from walk-on status to become a team captain and middle linebacker. He also compiled a strong academic record, earning a bachelor's degree in economics magna cum laude in 2022 and working toward an MBA with a 3.88 GPA, with an expected completion date of May 2025. His honors included Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp Trophy, and Cougar Student-Athlete of the Year in 2024.
