Former Razorback Tim Horton Named as UA Running Backs Coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Former Razorback Tim Horton has been named as running backs coach at the University of Arkansas it was announced by UA head coach Houston Nutt on Wednesday.

Horton will take over the position vacated when Danny Nutt stepped down to tend to ongoing health issues.

“It is a tremendous honor and privilege to have an opportunity to come back and coach in my hometown and at my alma mater,” Horton said. “The only thing that I regret is that this particular opportunity came with the circumstances involving Danny Nutt. I’m excited about the upcoming season and am looking forward to working with Coach Houston Nutt, Coach David Lee and the entire coaching staff.”

Horton is coming to Arkansas from Air Force where he was hired last January as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. He spent one season as the running backs coach at Kansas State in 2006 helping the Wildcats to a Texas Bowl appearance.

“We are excited to add a former Razorback and another outstanding coach to our staff,” Houston Nutt said. “Tim is from a legendary football family in the state and he has a great knowledge of the game. He was in a great position as offensive coordinator at Air Force and so we knew it would be extremely tough to convince him to join us especially this close to the upcoming season. I know he is excited to be back home and we are fortunate that he is once again a part of our program.”

During his first tenure at Air Force from 1999-2005, Horton coached receivers for six years and running backs for one. He mentored former Falcon standouts Matt Farmer, Ryan Fleming, Alec Messerall and Jason Brown. Horton was honored by the Colorado Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as one of its coaches of the year in 2004.

Horton received his coaching start at Appalachian State in 1990 and helped guide the Mountaineers to a 67-32 record during his eight-year tenure that included Southern Conference titles in 1991 and 1995 and five appearances in the Division I-AA playoffs.

From 1990-92, Horton coached Appalachian State’s receivers and tight ends before taking over as the Mountaineers’ running backs coach in 1993. He also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Horton earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing management in 1990. While at Arkansas, he was a four-year letterman and three-year starter as a split end and punt returner for the Razorbacks under head coach Ken Hatfield. He caught 49 passes for 942 yards and one touchdown in his career, including hauling in 23 catches for 453 yards as a senior in 1989. Horton returned 78 punts for 657 yards in his collegiate career.

Horton’s four years at Arkansas proved to be among the most successful in school history as the Razorbacks compiled a 38-11 record, won back-to-back Southwest Conference titles in 1988 and 1989 and appeared in four straight bowl games. In fact, Horton’s graduating class remains tied for the school record for the most wins in a four-year period.

A two-time academic all-conference selection, Horton was a second-team all-conference selection in 1989 and served as the Razorbacks’ team captain that season. In high school, Horton was a two-time all-state running back at Conway (Ark.) High School.

Horton and his wife, Lauren, have one daughter, Caroline, and one son, Jackson. Horton is the son of former Arkansas player, Razorback assistant coach, UCA head coach and current Razorback Foundation vice-president Harold Horton. His father lettered for the Razorbacks in 1960-61 and served on Coach Frank Broyles coaching staff from 1968-76 and Coach Lou Holtz’ coaching staff from 1977-80.