OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Eric Horner, who served 17 seasons as an assistant coach at Johnson County Community College, has been hired as the new skipper of the Cavaliers baseball team. He is just the fourth head coach in the 47-year history of the program. He replaces NJCAA and ABCA Hall of Fame coach Kent Shelley who retried at the end of the 2020 season.
"We are excited to name Eric Horner as our next baseball coach," said JCCC Athletics Director Randy Stange. "After reviewing the impact that Eric has had on the program the past 17 years, it was clear that he is the best leader for the future of the JCCC baseball program. We are excited about the 2021 season and look forward to future years with Eric at the helm."
Horner served 17 seasons as an assistant coach with the Cavaliers, 13 as the top assistant to coach Shelley, and was instrumental in the success of the program that racked up incredible numbers. In 17 years, Horner helped guide Johnson County to five 30-win seasons, eight 40-win seasons and one 50-win campaign. In 2020 the Cavaliers were on pace to add to that list before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short with a 20-3 mark.
"This is my dream job and I can't wait to keep the program moving forward," said Horner. "I would like to thank Dr. Weber, Randy Stange and all the committee for giving me this opportunity to lead this nationally ranked program both on and off the field. I would also like to thank Hall of Fame coach Kent Shelley for hiring me 17 years ago and taking a chance on me right of college. He was a great mentor and has prepared me for this opportunity. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my wonderful wife Katie for holding down the household while I am away, and my kids, Halee and Hunter, for accepting the long hours of coaching the staff and I will continue to work hard on developing our student-athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
The program also produced three Kansas Jayhawk Conference East Division titles, six runner-up finishes, two Region VI titles and two NJCAA World Series appearances.
In his 17 years as a recruiting coordinator, Horner recruited and coached 123 all-conference selections, including a record 14 in 2017, 27 All-Region VI selections, 10 NJCAA All-Americans, one Region VI Player of the Year, three conference Players of the Year, one conference Pitcher of the Year, two JUCO All-Stars, two Rawlings Big Stick Award winners, two Rawlings Gold Glove winners and 2020 three Baseball Blog All-Americans, including the National Player of the Year Brady Slavens. Additionally, seventy-six players went on to the NCAA Division I level, 87 to the NCAA Division II level, 20 have gone to NAIA programs, and another 20 have gone on to professional baseball.
Since being named the top assistant in 2008, the program has also been one of the best, if not the best, among JCCC's sports teams in the class room. In each of the last five years, 81 percent of the roster produced a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Nationally, 49 student-athletes have been recognized for academic achievement by the NJCAA, including a record 10 in 2018. In 2019, pitcher Dylan Bierman became the first JCCC male athlete to earn Google Cloud Academic All-America® College Division At-Large as named by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
As pitching coach, Horner has helped turn the Cavaliers into one of the top pitching programs in the country and helped rewrite the record books. Under his watch the Cavalier pitching staff has produced the top 10 team earned run averages in JCCC history under Shelley. His 2005 pitching staff finished with a 3.38 ERA (9th), followed by the 2007 staff which finished with a 2.51 ERA (2nd); 2008 staff finished with a 2.70 ERA (3rd); 2009 staff finished with a 2.34 ERA (1st); 2010 staff finished with a 3.37 ERA (8th) 2011 staff finished with at 3.22 (7th) his 2012 staff finished with a 2.78 ERA (4th); 2013 was 2.79 (5th); the 2014 staff had an ERA of 3.58 (10th) and the 2019 staff produced an ERA of 2.99 (6th). Horner guided the Cavaliers to three consecutive seasons with a team ERA under 3.00 from 2007 to 2009, and were also sub 3.00 in 2012, 2013 and 2019. Additionally, 14 of his 17 staffs have been under 4.00, almost unheard of at the collegiate level. Horner's pitching staffs have led the KJCCC nine times, place second twice and have consistently been ranked among the top staffs in the nation year-in and year-out.
In addition to his duties with the team, Horner directed the highly successful JCCC summer baseball camps, showcases, indoor leagues and private lessons during each year. Horner also serves an adjunct assistant professor in the business department, is the general manager for Seaboard in the Ban Johnson League.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Horner was a member of a Division II NCAA powerhouse at CMSU. The Mules recorded four consecutive top-five finishes at the NCAA D II World Series, including a National Championship in 2003. The team also placed second, third, and fifth during his playing career. Horner played a prominent role in each of his four seasons for CMSU, compiling an 11-2 record along with 15 saves. He set the conference and school records for single-season saves, career saves, single-season appearances, and career appearances. His Senior season, Horner had 31 appearances and posted a 2.50 earned run average with 51 strikeouts, 8 saves, 13 walks, and held opponents to a .216 batting average. His efforts earned him first-team All-MIAA accolades.
Following a successful collegiate career, Horner signed a free agent minor league contract to play with the Springfield/Ozark Mountain Ducks of the Central Baseball League. In his first professional season, Horner compiled a team-best 2.25 ERA and became the number two starter in the rotation. After the sale of the team, Horner signed in the off-season with the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League.
Horner graduated from Central Missouri with a degree in finance, and earned his master's in business administration from St. Mary's University.
Horner and his wife, Katie, reside in Olathe Kan. The couple has 14-year old daughter, Halee Ann, and a 11-year old son, Hunter Steven.
What They Say About Horner
"Coach Horner is a fabulous hire for JCCC! He is an excellent on field coach and recruiter. Eric is admired by the baseball community for being a tireless worker, and teach, who is a consummate professional."
Gary Burns, Director of Athletics/Head Baseball Coach, Rockhurst University
"I have worked with coach Horner over the last 15+ years in all aspects of the game – coaching instruction, logistics, administration, etc. His passion, preparation, time management, attention to detail are second to none, and his staff will serve Johnson County baseball well in the present and future. He's the ideal hire."
Jaime Bluma, Homefield Camp Coordinator/Pitching Instructor, Former Kansas City Royals pitcher
"Coach Horner is a true professional, and the ultimate players coach. The best hire for the program without a doubt. He is a big reason the program is what it is today. He, along with one of the best coaching staff in the country, will continue to make winning championships the standard at JCCC, while continuing to develop some of the best players in the JUCO circuit."
Anthony Miller, former JCCC All-American and professional player
"Coach Horner is a staple in the local baseball community, and was a great choice to take the reins of the JCCC baseball program. I have little doubt that he will maintain the tradition of excellence that he helped to build as an assistant coach. As a JCCC alumnus and former player, I am proud of coach Horner and thrilled to see the program fall into such capable and deserving hands."
Alex Lahasky, former JCCC player, Assistant Baseball Coach, Blue Valley West High School
Coach Horner showed as the recruiting coordinator the type of player you can get to JCCC. They consistently have won and sent players to all levels including MLB. Not only is he connected throughout Kansas City, but has shown the ability to get players at the national level. JCCC made an outstanding hire and look for the program to continue its winning ways."
Dirk Kinney, Scout for St. Louis Cardinals