Track & Field Announces Addition of Assistant Coach John Horton to Staff

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's track & field program announced the hiring of John Horton to be the next assistant coach for the Islanders.

Horton joins the Islanders after serving as an assistant coach for three schools at the NJCAA level and having quite the display case for his accomplishments as an athlete at the University of Houston.
 
"Horton is a really nice addition to our staff and will be working with our jumps and multi-events group," said head coach Brent Ericksen. "He had a great career as an athlete at the University of Houston and has had a lot of success as a coach at the junior college level. We're looking forward to having him here on the Island."
 
Just before arriving on the Island, Horton served as an assistant coach at Fort Scott Community College where he coached jumps and multi-events from August 2021 until coming to A&M-Corpus Christi. With the Greyhounds, he coached three different athletes to breaking seven different school records in only one season. Among the achievements of his athletes, Horton helped bring his best jumper to earning 2022 Region XI NJCAA Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year honors. His assistance helped foster three All-Americans during this tenure at FSCC.
 
Before heading to Fort Scott, Horton was an assistant coach at Iowa Central Community College during the Covid-19 shortened season. Despite the challenge, he helped the men's team to an NJCAA Indoor National Championship with the women finishing as NJCAA Indoor National Runner-Ups. Ten of his athletes set Top-10 All-Time Indoor Performance records with six of them earning Indoor All-American Honors.

Horton kicked off his coaching career as an assistant at Coffeyville Community College in 2018. Most notably, he coached two different athletes to combine for 2019 Region XI NJCAA Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, Triple Jump Champion, Long Jump Champion and High Jump Champion. Three of his student-athletes went on to break five school records. During both the Indoor and Outdoor seasons, Horton oversaw 16 All-Americans with eight coming in each season. One of the athletes broke an Outdoor Junior College National and Meet Record in the long jump.
 
"I want to thank, Coach Ericksen, Coach Joshua Biagtan, and the entire Islander community for welcoming me; and providing me this great opportunity," said Horton. "With continued conversations with both Coach Ericksen and Coach Biagtan; I trust in their long-term vision for the program, the student-athletes, the community, and myself. I look forward to contributing to their vision to the best of my abilities. I want to thank everyone who has assisted along this journey, I wouldn't have made it to the Island without you! Shakas Up and Go Islanders!"
 
As an athlete at the University of Houston from 2012-2015, Horton excelled, qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships thrice in his four years of eligibility. He earned recognition as an Outdoor First Team All-American in the triple jump in 2014 and Second Team All-American in the same event a year prior. As a freshman, he was named to the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll while winning the C-USA Indoor Triple Jump title, following it up with another first-place finish in 2013. While competing in the American Athletic Conference, Horton was named to the All-America Conference team for both Indoor and Outdoor in 2014 and Indoor for 2015.

Horton earned his bachelor's in organizational leadership and supervision at Houston after attending Copperas Cove High School.
 
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