Head Coach

Jeff Horner

Jeff Horner was named the 13th head coach in Truman State University men's basketball history on April 24, 2018. The former standout point guard at the University of Iowa (2002-06) comes to Kirksville after a successful four-year run at Division I University of North Dakota of the Big Sky Conference. There, Horner served as the director of operations for one season (2014-15) before three as an assistant coach (2015-18).

"We are excited to have Jeff take over the reins of our men's basketball program," said athletic director, Jerry Wollmering. "He has had a ton of success as a player, coach and recruiter that will help continue the tradition that coaches, Matt Woodley and Coach Chris Foster, have set in place over the past seven seasons."

Horner graduated from the University of Iowa in 2006 with a degree in communication studies after starting all four years as a member of the Hawkeyes. He capped those four seasons by being named the Big Ten Tournament's Most Outstanding Player as a senior when Iowa defeated Ohio State in the title game. Horner was also a two-time Third-Team All-Big Ten honoree, a two-time team MVP and two-year team captain. He is second all-time in assists (612) and three-pointers made (262) at Iowa while his 1,506 career points are just outside the program's top 10 list.

Horner then made four stops in the professional ranks including Bree, Belgium (2006-07), Paris France (fall 2007), the Iowa Energy of the NBA G League (2007-08), and Antibes, France (2008-09). That would mark the end of his playing career and beginning of his coaching experience.

His first stop was in Des Moines, Iowa at Grand View University of the NAIA for a one-year stint as an assistant coach in 2009-10. The Vikings went 25-9, won the Midwest Collegiate Conference regular season title and postseason tournament, and made an appearance in the Division II NAIA National Tournament.

Horner then went 15 minutes down the road and took over as the head varsity boys coach at West Des Moines Valley High School for three seasons (2011-14). The Mason City, Iowa native racked up a 70-27 record in those three years, led the Tigers to a pair of state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2014, and was twice named the CIML Head Coach of the Year.

Most recently, Horner spent four years in Grand Forks, North Dakota for the Fighting Hawks of UND. In 2016-17, his third season with the program and second as an assistant coach, the Fighting Hawks made the NCAA Tournament, won the Big Sky Conference Tournament and were Big Sky Conference regular season champions, all of which had never happened in program history.

During his first campaign as head coach, the Bulldogs finished 14-15. But during his second year, the Bulldogs found their stride and went 23-8 en route to a GLVC Tournament Title and a share of the Regular Season Championship. At 14-4 in GLVC play the Bulldogs tied with Missouri-St. Louis, whom they defeated in the regular season and in the GLVC Championship Game. It was the first Regular Season conference title since 1978-79 and the first Conference Tournament title since 1998-99.

After a slow start to the 2019-20 campaign at 1-3, the Bulldogs reeled off ten wins in twelve games to jump to the top of the GLVC standings. It began with a thrilling 71-68 win over #7 Missouri Southern as Brodric Thomas hit one of the most famous shots in Truman history as he drained a 30 footer at the final buzzer to elevate Truman to victory. Under Horner's guidance, Thomas would collect numerous awards--including GLVC Player of the Year, GLVC Tournament MVP, D2 All-Region by the D2CCA and was named to the D2 All-District team by the NABC.

The 2020-21 season was Horner's best, going 20-3 with a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight. The Bulldogs were the #1 seed in the Midwest Region and they beat #5 Ashland University 82-63 and #2 Michigan Technological University 65-62 before falling to Flagler College 70-69 in the Elite Eight. Horner's three losses in 2020-21 were to Division One Indiana State in an exhibition, University of Indianapolis in the GLVC Tournament, and Flagler College in the NCAA Tournament. Cade McKnight was an NABC All-American, GLVC Player of the Year, as well as Midwest Regional MVP.

Truman's success carried over into 2021-22, going 20-10 with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs lost in the GLVC Tournament to University of Indianapolis again in the quarterfinals, getting a #5-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Truman dropped their opening round Midwest Regional game against #4 University of Missouri-St. Louis 73-68, putting an end to another solid season for Truman. Cade McKnight once again had a great season, being named an NABC All-American and First Team All-GLVC.

"I am extremely excited to become a part of the Truman State University family," said Horner. "It has always been my dream to be a head coach at the collegiate level and Truman State has taken that chance on me. I want to thank athletic director, Jerry Wollmering, and president, Dr. Sue Thomas, for giving me the opportunity to lead the Bulldog men's basketball program."

Horner played his high school basketball at Mason City High School for his father, Bob, where he was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Iowa in 2002 and earned a spot in the Iowa High School Hall of Fame in 2014.

Horner and his wife Lindsay have two children--a daughter Siena and a son Bowen; and reside in Kirksville.