A New Era For WWC Men’s Basketball: New Head Coach Chris Horton
Al Stone-Gebhardt | September 13, 2023
The Warren Wilson College (WWC) men’s basketball team is proud to introduce its new head coach, Chris Horton. Coach Horton took on the role in July, following the departure of former head coach Dominique Boone.
Coach Horton is a graduate of the University of Florida. Before starting at WWC, he was a former state and national director at USSSA, a national basketball organization.
Horton previously worked as a coach and director of basketball operations for Taylored Athletes as well as a general manager for the Texas Sky Riders and has considerable experience in basketball himself. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science, Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida in 2012.
Prior to his experience in basketball coaching, Horton worked as a sales manager. He credits this experience as paramount to his coaching strategy, alongside his unique perspective as someone who didn’t commit to basketball full-time.
“This was a great opportunity for me to be a head coach,” Horton said. “It's also an opportunity for me to get back to the east coast and leave the rain. The inspiration for coaching was the love of people and leadership that I developed being a sales manager. And I just knew I wanted to take those skills and apply them in an area that I felt more passionate about.”
He is optimistic, bringing a positive attitude and commitment to change to Warren Wilson; “I think being willing to question everything is a superpower.” Horton said.
The culture and environment of WWC also helped inform Horton that this school was the right fit for him. He explained that, during his interview process, he was afforded a significant insight into the people and atmosphere on campus.
Coming into the season, Horton aims to turn over a new leaf for the men’s basketball team at WWC— starting with academic accountability. Horton sent his athletes to their classes with integrity contracts, outlining students’ responsibilities to their classwork and attendance.
“[I] inherited a program with the opportunity to improve some things and I think accountability is definitely one of those.” Horton said. “So that's one of the things that I want to drive immediately.”
On top of this, Horton aims to incorporate athlete mental well-being into team practice. The new head coach plans to implement a program addressing character development where athletes have an open space to talk about their experiences and build healthy relationships.
“How do I have healthy relationships?” Horton said. “Does that mean I share feelings, can I handle someone else's feelings, all of those types of things. How do I communicate with people? We'll also examine victim advocacy— that can be of sexual assault victims, that can be just victims of oppression in general, marginalized groups.”
He continued: “From an on-the-court perspective, I want to be able to uplift [my athletes] and help them play with confidence and give them the tools to do so.”
Furthermore, students on the team look toward this change positively, citing that they are anticipating the new season under Horton’s guidance.
Junior Demarshaun Woley, hailing from Fayetteville, N.C., plays men’s basketball at WWC. He is on the Student Activities Crew.
“As a coach, [Horton] has really been stepping up,” said Woley. “He’s about to change the culture here. They wanted somebody to come in that could win basketball games and to change the ideals and the culture. And I think Coach Horton can definitely do that. . . He's real humble. He's real straightforward. And he means business.”
Other Owls voiced support for this vote of confidence, including fellow WWC Owl Antonio Banuelos, a senior on the CIAC crew.
“He's like another father figure to me as well.” Banuelos said. “I can be able to go into his office and shut the door and talk to him about anything. I feel like he's gonna be a great coach here at Warren Wilson College.”
As a senior, Banuelos has seen the image of the Owls change over time. The Forest City N.C.-raised athlete considered leaving the team when he was recruited back to Warren Wilson by Horton.
Banuelos revealed that the team previously needed more commitment both in the classroom, and with community engagement. He regrets that the team was not as close with its community as other programs at Wilson. Last season was difficult for the Owls after losing their coach.
“Our image is not at the highest standard,” Banuelos said. “So [Horton] is trying to be able to do everything in his power to change that, basically, getting to class on time, not missing class, going to work, creating contracts for our professors— knowing that we're going to be able to buy-in academically as well as athletically. I feel like he's just holding us very accountable. And I really love that.”
Horton aims to hone his team’s ability to play fast and share the ball across the court moving forward. He anticipates getting to know his team and working with them to guarantee wins throughout the season. In addition, the new coach wants to ensure this season is enjoyable for the Owls.
“I am just super blessed and super fortunate to have the group of guys that I do,” Horton commented. “I am just excited to be a part of what they are going to build here.”
Equally as excited for the season are the Owls themselves, who look forward to representing Warren Wilson on the court.
“I think the basketball team is gonna have a great season this year,” Woley said. “I feel like this group right here— the camaraderie is amazing. It's early, and we’ve got some hard work [to do], so come out and see Warren Wilson Owls play this year. I think it's gonna be a great season.”