GREENVILLE, Pa. (pacathletics.org) – Thiel College Director of Athletics Isaac Collins has announced the hiring of Henry Gorton to be the fourth Head Men's Volleyball Coach in school history.

Gorton brings a seasoned resume to the table as a coach and player as he takes over the reins of the defending Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champions and looks to build upon last season's record-setting year that culminated in the Tomcats' first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
"We're thrilled to welcome Henry as the new Head Men's Volleyball Coach at Thiel College," Collins said. "His energy, coaching pedigree and commitment to building a championship culture align perfectly with the values of Thiel Athletics. We're excited for the future of our men's volleyball program under his leadership, and we know Henry will make an immediate and lasting impact on our campus, community and the young men he'll be mentoring."
 
Gorton joins Thiel after three successful seasons as an assistant coach at St. John Fisher College, a perennial NCAA Division III powerhouse. During his tenure, the Cardinals compiled a 73-23 record, earned 17 victories over nationally ranked opponents, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2023 with a 24-8 mark. In 2024, Gorton was part of the Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
"I'm honored to be named Head Men's Volleyball Coach at Thiel," Gorton said. "This program has a strong foundation, and I'm excited to build on its success by fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and competition."
 
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Gorton served for five years as the Assistant Varsity Coach at Spencerport High School. Under his leadership, the Rangers captured five consecutive sectional titles and secured podium finishes at the New York State Championships, placing second in 2021 and 2022, and third in 2023.
 
"Henry is a passionate and driven leader who brings a deep and thorough understanding of men's volleyball and the Division III model," Collins added. " Henry has a clear vision for student-athlete development on and off the court."
 
Gorton is also a lifelong volleyball player, with over 13 years of competitive experience. Since 2022, he has competed in the Volleyball League of America (VLA) and helped the Niagara Frontiersmen reach the VLA Finals Cup in 2023.
 
A graduate of SUNY Brockport, Gorton holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with focused coursework in exercise science and athletic performance.
 
"I'm looking forward to getting started with this team and continuing to move the program forward," Gorton added. "Our goal is to become a national contender every year—and that's exactly what we're going to work toward."

The 2025 Tomcats produced the best season in team history with a program-record 22 wins. The Blue and Gold rattled off a program-long 15 match winning streak and went a perfect 10-0 on Maenpa Court in route to winning the PAC Championship and making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in team history.

Contributed by Thiel Sports Information