Horton to retire from Razorback Foundation

Harold Horton announced Monday (June 15) he is resigning as executive director of the Arkansas Razorback Foundation, a post he has held since 2008.

The retirement is effective July 31.

Prior to being named executive director, Horton served as the foundation’s vice president for 11 years.

“This job has been one of the greatest jobs I have ever had if you like to deal with people as I do,” Horton said in a statement. “It has been very satisfying working with the great people supporting Razorback Foundation Inc.”

Horton has played, coached and served as an administrator in the UA Athletic Department for nearly half his life.

He initially moved to the foundation from his position as director of football operations, a title he held for four years, after serving as recruiting coordinator for the four previous years.

A member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor and the University of Central Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, he is a native of DeWitt. He played on Frank Broyles' first three Southwest Conference championship teams at Arkansas, lettering in 1959, 1960 and 1961, and played in the Gator, Cotton and Sugar bowls. His teams combined for a 25-8 record. Horton was elected captain in 1961 in a vote of his teammates. In 2003, he received an Outstanding American Award presented by the College Football Foundation.

After earning his degree in physical education in 1962, Horton was the head football coach at Bald Knob (Ark.) and Forrest City (Ark.) high schools for three years each.

Broyles hired Horton as linebackers coach in 1968. He moved to the defensive line in 1977 and served in that capacity for four seasons under Lou Holtz.

Following the 1980 season he went into private business for a year but returned to football in 1981 when he became head coach at Central Arkansas. His teams were 74-12-5, won two national championships and qualified for the NAIA playoffs six times. The 1983, 1987 and 1988 clubs were all undefeated at 10-0. He was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1983.

In 1999, Anthony Lucas was the first recipient of the Harold Horton Award recognizing excellence on the field and in the classroom.

Horton and his wife, Betty, have two children, Tim and Holly.

Tim is the running backs coach at the University of Arkansas and is a former Razorback wide receiver. Tim and his wife Lauren have a daughter, Caroline, and a son, William Jackson. Holly (Mrs. Brian Banister), has two sons, Bentley and Barrett, and a daughter, Charlotte.