Chris Horton is in his third year as the Ravens' assistant special teams coach, working directly with special teams coordinator/associate head coach Jerry Rosburg. Horton has helped Baltimore's special teams units perform outstandingly in the three years he's been involved. In the annual special teams report from senior NFL writer Rick Gosselin, Baltimore has ranked in the NFL's Top 5 for six-straight seasons, including first in 2015 (2017: fourth; 2016: fifth; 2015: first; 2014: fifth; 2013: fifth; 2012: second). (Gosselin's report is recognized by NFL teams as a special teams measuring stick.) No other NFL team has been in the Top 5 (or even Top 10) in each of the past six seasons.
additional coaching highlights: In 2014, Horton entered the NFL coaching ranks with the Ravens working with the team's OLBs. Horton played safety for four seasons in the NFL with the Redskins (2008-11) after being selected by Washington in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
2014-17: (with Baltimore) 2017: Football Outsiders tabbed Baltimore's special teams as the NFL's No. 1 overall unit...Ravens ranked No. 1 in KOR average (27.5), No. 5 in PR average (10.1) and No. 1 in opponent KOR average (18.6)...P Sam Koch posted NFL bests in both punts inside the 10 (16) and 20 (40). 2016: Ravens ranked No. 5 in the annual special teams report compiled by senior NFL writer Rick Gosselin...K Justin Tucker and LS Morgan Cox each earned their second Pro Bowl honors...Promoted to assistant special teams coach...Baltimore had an NFL-high 4 (tied, Mia.) blocked kicks. 2015: Horton worked as a staff assistant alongside Jerry Rosburg with the Ravens' special teams...Baltimore's units excelled, ranking No. 1 in Gosselin's annual special teams report...Ravens also ranked No. 1 by Pro Football Focus...Baltimore was third in the NFL in punt return average (11.3), while allowing the second-fewest yards per punt return (5.0)...P Sam Koch and Cox each earned their first Pro Bowls...Ravens blocked a kick (2 PATs, 2 FGs and 1 punt) in five-straight contests, a feat that had not been accomplished since 1983 (Atlanta Falcons)...The 5 blocked kicks tied (Oak.) for most in 2015. 2014: Worked primarily with the Ravens' OLBs...Led by OLB Terrell Suggs and 2014 Pro Bowl selection OLB Elvis Dumervil, Baltimore racked up the NFL's second-most sacks (49, tied with Philly), boasted the No. 2 red zone defense and allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (88.3)...Dumervil (a franchise-record 17 sacks) and Suggs (12) combined to produce the most QB drops (29) among NFL duos.
2012-13: (with UCLA) 2013: Bruins earned a 10-3 record and defeated Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl, 42-12. 2012: Joined his alma mater as a quality control coach, assisting with both the Bruins' defense and special teams unit under head coach Jim Mora Jr.
2013: (with Seattle) Spent training camp with the Seattle Seahawks as a coaching intern.
NFL Player (2008-11): Played three full NFL seasons after being drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Redskins in 2008...As a rookie, Horton earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors following his Week 2 performance vs. New Orleans when he had 2 INTs and 1 fumble recovery in the Redskins' 29-24 victory over the Saints...Also earned NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month (September) honors...Played in 29 career NFL games, but was hampered by injuries in his final three seasons, eventually concluding his playing career after a training camp stint with the New York Giants in 2012.
COLLEGE: Earned a bachelor's degree in history from UCLA...Played safety for the Bruins, earning The Sporting News first-team All-America (2007), first-team All-Pac-10 (2007) and second-team All-Pac-10 honors (2006).
PERSONAL: Earned three varsity letters in football at De La Salle (New Orleans, LA) HS...Was an All-Metro selection, District MVP (2003) and two-time All-District selection in The Catholic League (LHSAA District 9-5A)...Also lettered in track and field...Chris was inducted into his high school Hall of Fame on March 15, 2014...He and his wife, Jackie, have two daughters: Kristina (4) and Khloe (2) and a newborn son, Kaden.
