Ep 113: Jeff Horner on his baseball career, the Alford era, and Nick Nurse
I think about Northwestern State every day
Episode 113 brings one of the great Hawkeye guards into the studio, Jeff Horner. Tim and Moonlighter Jack Brownlee sit down with the Mason City product to talk about his time as a Mohawk, Hawkeye, as a pro in Europe, and now walking the sideline as a coach. Jeff has seen a lot on the hardwood and has some great stories to tell.
Horner committed to Steve Alford and the Iowa Hawkeyes as a ninth-grader. That commitment may have changed Mohawk sports history because he was a multisport athlete. Horner was a varsity football and baseball player as a freshman but had to shift his focus to prepare for life in Iowa City. In fact, Horner thinks that had he been able to play his senior baseball season, he might have had some options on the diamond.
When I think of Hawkeyes, I just think of good people
Once in Iowa City, Horner took a leadership role for the Hawks for the next four seasons, starting nearly every game in his career. Horner talks about the expectations of being an Iowa kid in the Black and Gold and the pressure he felt. Jack Brownlee and Jeff give an inside look at practice and the competitive culture during the Alford era. Horner was one of the great all-around basketball players in Hawkeye history and finished his career with 1,502 points, 563 rebounds, and 612 assists.
After a few years in professional basketball in Europe, Horner came back to America and was signed by Nick Nurse and became the first ever player for the Iowa Energy. With his playing days behind him, Horner has found a new role on the court as a coach. Horner has gone from a high school assistant coach to D-2 head coach at Truman State University. Jeff shares what he has taken from some of the great coaching minds he played for and against over his career.
Enjoy episode 113 with Hawkeye great Jeff Horner!