Writing it down: Coach Horton’s Turning Point
Dom Undzenas| Nov. 4, 2025
Photo of Chris Horton.
Chris Horton, head coach of men’s basketball at Warren Wilson College (WWC), is quick to point out that coaching is about more than basketball.
“I want to provide value beyond the game,” Horton said.
That mindset grew out of a moment of clarity that shifted his career from sales and sports management into leadership and education.
Today, as he leads the men’s basketball program at WWC, Horton is focused on character, relationships and selflessness.
“I want to provide value beyond basketball,” Horton said. “Relationships, accountability, and selflessness matter just as much as winning games. His mindset is centered around developing his athletes not only on the court but as a whole person.”
Growing up in Florida, Horton dreamed of becoming a sports agent, inspired by Drew Rosenhaus. He continued this path at the University of Florida. After his first internship at a sports agency, the work was not what he had hoped for. Not finding satisfaction, he pivoted to sales management, finding little fulfillment in that either. Those early frustrations created tension that made his decision so critical.
At 22, Horton stopped walking paths that did not fit. Instead, he decided to return to sports, this time through leadership. He sat down and wrote a clear goal to become a general manager by 52; he ended up accomplishing it at 24. Within two years, he had achieved his goal with a professional team in Texas. More importantly, he had proven to himself the power of setting down goals and following through with them.
“That showed me the importance of writing down goals and creating a plan,” Horton said. ”It’s something I encourage my players to do as well.”
Making that decision to return to sports reshaped his philosophy, realizing that the most rewarding part of sports was guiding others. He moved into college coaching, where he found a natural fit. As a head coach, he emphasizes the balance between competition and character, teaching athletes to push themselves every day on the court, while also growing as people. This emphasis on character development seems to act as a main focus and priority for the team, learning and maintaining skills that last beyond the court.
Looking ahead, Horton sees big potential for the program to grow with the right-minded people to help guide the community. He knows his own career path will continue to evolve, but his mission remains the same: to help young people grow through the game. His story shows how success and satisfaction do not only come from opportunities, but from the courage to decide a direction, write it down, and follow it with your heart. That act of commitment has stayed with him and is now passed down to his players.