Josh Thompson is the head coach of the King University Tornado women’s basketball program. He re-joined the King staff in 2024 after a two-year stint at Montreat College, returning for his second tenure with the Tornado. Thompson previously led King to the 2017 Conference Carolinas championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Recent Seasons as Head Coach

• In his latest season back with the program, Thompson guided the Tornado to 15 wins overall and 12 conference wins, reaching the Conference Carolinas Championship game.
• During his overall tenure at King, Thompson has built a competitive program known for strong defense, three-point shooting, and academic excellence.
• His teams have produced 1 Conference Carolinas Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 1 Defensive Player of the Year, 1 Freshman of the Year, 13 All-Conference Carolinas selections, 41 Academic All-Conference honorees, and 1 USBWA National Player of the Week.
• He was named Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year in 2016–17, earned his 100th win at King in the 2017 conference championship game, and recorded his 200th career win in 2019.

Year-by-Year Highlights (First Tenure)

• 2020–21: Finished 10–7 overall (8–6 conference), placed 4th in the standings, and advanced to the conference tournament semifinals. King led Conference Carolinas and ranked 9th nationally in three-pointers made per game.
• 2019–20: Posted a 16–13 overall record (13–9 conference) and reached the conference tournament quarterfinals.
• 2018–19: Featured a young roster with four freshmen in regular rotation. Trinity Lee was named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year.
• 2017–18: Reached the Conference Carolinas Championship game for the third straight year, finishing 17–13 overall (12–8 conference).
• 2016–17: Led King to a program-best 25–7 record (19–3 conference), the Conference Carolinas championship, and the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth.
• 2015–16: Finished 19–12 overall (16–6 conference) and reached the Conference Carolinas Championship game. 
• 2014–15: Posted a 20–9 record (15–7 conference) — King’s first 20-win season as NCAA Division II members.
• Earlier seasons showed steady improvement, including the program’s first Conference Carolinas Tournament win in 2013–14.

Pre-King Coaching Experience

Thompson previously served as head coach at Nyack College (N.Y.) from 2002–2010. He guided the Warriors through the NAIA to NCAA Division II transition, producing consistent improvement, the 2009 NCCAA East Region Championship, and a program-best 21–12 record in 2010 that included regular season and conference titles plus the program’s first NCAA Division II National Tournament berth. He was named NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year and CACC Coach of the Year.

As a player at Nyack, Thompson was a starting point guard and co-captain of the 1999–2000 team that won the CACC Tournament and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament. He led the league in assists and was named CACC Tournament MVP.