“There are a lot of things over the years that mean a lot to me that are not necessarily about wins and losses such as watching the kids turn into men and women and the things they accomplish now,” said Horne, noting former athletes who have become lawyers, doctors, state troopers, teachers and counselors among other occupations.
“I have had some good kids come through, some good football players and some good people now. They have gone on and done some good things in life.”
There were other highlights as well, including special times with his older brother, Todd, a former G.W. Long girls basketball coach and former Dale County football coach.
“Getting to coach with my brother was big as was coaching against him in some basketball games,” Horne said. “I was able to coach with both of my nephews and that was special. I have had several guys help coach with me that were players of mine and that is special too. Those are the things that I look at most.”
Since taking over after George Kennedy left G.W. Long with four games remaining in 2008, Horne had been a fixture of the Rebel program, earning a 96-44 record during 12 full seasons plus those 2008 final four contests.
Horne was the longest tenured head football coach at one school in the Wiregrass before Thursday’s retirement. Bart Snyder, who just finished his 12th season at Goshen, now holds that distinction.