ELON, N.C. — Elon University today announced the hiring of Ryan Horton as the Phoenix’s head strength and conditioning coach.
Horton, who comes to Elon from Elkin Sports Performance in Richmond, Va., will oversee all aspects of the department’s strength and conditioning needs for 17 NCAA Division I sports.
Prior to joining ESP Horton served as the assistant coordinator for strength and conditioning at Florida International University. He was part of an FIU football turnaround that saw the Panthers go from last in the Sun Belt Conference to a league title in just three seasons. Horton also served as the strength and conditioning coach for the FIU women’s volleyball and women’s basketball programs. The volleyball team won the 2008 Sun Belt title with a 28-7 record and followed that up with a school-record 32 victories, including an unblemished mark in conference play, in 2009.
Horton also gained experience at the University of Tennessee where he helped the Volunteers’ football program to two Southeastern Conference title contests. While there, he mentored five NFL first-round picks. Horton worked with the men’s tennis team, helping that program reach the 2008 Sweet Sixteen. Individually, two tennis players collected All-American accolades.
Horton previously worked at D1 Sports Training in Knoxville, Tenn., where he worked with high school and collegiate athletes in sports ranging from football to hockey. He was primarily responsible for writing the strength and conditioning programs, including speed, agility and lifting, for all sports. He also served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Christian Academy of Knoxville.
All told, Horton has trained 40 athletes who have gone on to play professionally in their chosen sport.
Horton is Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified and USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach certified. He is a member of the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association and USA Weightlifting.
Horton earned his bachelor’s degree in health and fitness promotion from Otterbein College where he was a four-year football letterwinner.