When Pittsburgh Maulers defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Jarren Horton was hired as the UFL Memphis Showboats DC, expectations were high that he would accomplish the same worst-to-first turnaround he did with the 2023 USFL championship team.
While the Maulers wound up losing 28-12 to the Birmingham Stallions in the battle for the USFL title, Pittsburgh ended the season with the acknowledged number one defense in the league.
Unfortunately, Horton wasn’t able to recreate the same magic this season in Memphis. The Showboats ended their second season with an identical 2-8 record. Nonetheless, Horton accomplished a great deal in his first year with the Showboats’ defense and deserves a second opportunity with the team.
Horton’s Pittsburgh Maulers
It’s worth noting that it took Horton two seasons to achieve the seemingly impossible challenge in Pittsburgh. When he first took over the team in 2022, their record was a dismal 1-9. But one year later, the Maulers had the best defense in the league, allowing the lowest total yards per game at 257.4.
In recognition of the team’s amazing turnaround, Horton was honored as the 2023 USFL Assistant Coach of the Year. It was a tremendous accomplishment, but it didn’t happen by chance.
Coaching professional football is in Horton’s blood. His dad, Ray Horton, was a former cornerback with the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys. After his career ended due to a torn ACL, he went on to coach several NFL teams, including a six-year stint as a defensive coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2023, the senior Horton was hired to be the Maulers’ head coach. For the younger Horton, who grew up dreaming of being the defensive coach and working for his dad as the Steelers’ head coach, the opportunity to work with his father was a dream come true. Together, the father and son team transformed the Maulers into a winning organization.
Horton’s Previous Coaching Career
After graduating from Central Washington in 2015, Horton began his coaching career as a defensive analytics assistant for Vanderbilt. That job led to a stint in 2016 with the Cleveland Browns as a defensive assistant and assistant quality control coach, where Horton’s father was the Browns’ defensive coordinator. In the summer of 2017, he took a position as an offseason assistant with the Steelers’ organization before resuming his analytics position at Vanderbilt in the fall.
But coaching was always his preferred career path. Over the next several years, Horton held coaching positions with AAF Atlanta Legends and the University of Connecticut. It was his defensive coordinator role for the UConn Huskies in 2021 that led to his being named the DC for the Pittsburgh Maulers.
Revamping The Showboats’ Defense
One of the first things Horton did when he arrived in Memphis was to recruit members of his former Maulers staff. Installing Marc Hull to oversee special teams and linebackers, and Steve Meyer to manage defensive quality control efforts, Horton hired key personnel who worked well together and shared his vision.
Next, he focused on rebuilding the roster, retaining only a handful of players from the previous Showboats defense. In their place, he brought in a strong five-man team of former Maulers championship players. Safety Eli Walker, defensive EDGEs Nasir Player and Izayah Green-May, defensive tackle Owen “Boogie” Roberts, and cornerback Mark Gilbert comprised the group of talented players who would set the tone and become the core of the Showboats’ defense. Walker had a terrific season, proving to be one of the top defensive players in the UFL with 57 tackles, one interception, and two pass defenses.
The “Pittsburgh Five” joined Memphis returning veterans DL Josiah Bronson, CB Nehemiah Shelton, and former NFL veteran DL John Atkins, Sr. In addition, Memphis GM Jim Monos recruited several other key players for Horton’s defense, signing San Antonio Brahmas cornerback Cameron Dantzler, former New Orleans Saints LB Andrew Dowell, and LB Steele Chambers. Along with Walker, Lowell, Chambers, and safety Keaton Ellis proved to be standouts, leading the team in tackles and forced fumbles.
Why Horton Deserves A Second Season
However, other than the returning veterans and the Maulers players, most of these individuals had never played together previously. Establishing a cohesive defensive unit from such a disparate group and getting them ready to take the field for their game in less than 30 days is a tall order.
Despite their losing record, the Showboats’ defense showed a definite improvement over the inaugural season. Except for the last two contests against the Arlington Renegades and the Stallions, a strong defensive pushback kept the games within reach until the closing minutes.
In addition to the short UFL pre-season, the Showboats were hit with a multitude of off-field issues that created chaos and upheaval for the entire organization. In a surprise move, presumed starting quarterback Quinten Dormady was let go in the preseason. Then, HC Ken Whisenhunt took personal leave only days before the first game. When he returned, things were still unstable, and two weeks later, Whisenhunt departed the team for good.
The upheaval over the past few weeks contributed to an already challenging situation with a team made up primarily of new players. While interim head coach Jim Turner had the best of intentions and did what he could to provide leadership and stability, he inherited a 0-4 team that was already out of playoff contention. Turner’s goal became one of ensuring as many players as possible saw action and an opportunity to showcase their talents. However, the lack of a consistent offense cost them games they might otherwise have won. It also left the defense on the field for too long, tiring players and leading to injuries.
Horton Is The Best Man For The Job
One area where the defense struggled was in takeaways and sacks. Memphis ranked last in the UFL for takeaways. Although there was some improvement towards the end of the season, too many missed tackles and the inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks proved costly.
If Horton is allowed a second season, he would have the opportunity to continue to improve in those crucial areas. Assuming his top players returned, he could ensure everyone was on the same page and build upon the chemistry they’ve already developed. Consistency and player-to-player communication are needed to fine-tune the route running and establish role responsibilities.
Horton’s knowledge of the game and understanding of the opposing offensive strategy are encyclopedic. In a recent interview, ESPN booth analyst Jordan Rodgers stated that Horton provided one of his favorite moments of the season. “Horton was in the booth on second down. He gave insight into the offense’s tendency, then the offense did exactly what he predicted, and the defense made a good play.”
Horton has demonstrated that he has the insight, leadership skills, and vision to do the job. The only question is if he will be allowed to do so in Memphis.
1 Comment
by Ken Granito
I am not yet truly a fan of Jarren Horton. I feel he deserved a chance to see what he can do, but I really wanted his father to be the DC and Jarren to be the secondary coach. I appreciate you looking at the positive side and giving him the benefit of the doubt. I look at it this way. IF the Showboats came back and Horton was the DC, I wouldn’t be upset, however if the Showboats became the Generals and Jarren Horton was going to become the Defensive Coordinator I would severely hate it and this is why. You gave lots of good reasons why Jarren Horton should not be blamed for all the outcomes over the past year, but sometimes the buck stops here and for the defense it’s with the defensive coordinator. The Showboats gave up the 2nd most points, was tied for giving up the largest 3rd down conversion rate and gave up the most yards rushing. Let’s think about that. If you are going to give up the largest amount of rushing yards, you can’t also give them a first down. You put it that the offense played poorly, but I look at it as the defense could not get off the field. When the Stallions destroyed the Showboats 46-9, Horton was complaining about a missed facemask by the refs. If that isn’t a sign about how he missed the point point of being defensive coordinator. Did he feel he couldn’t do his job so he decided to speak up for the offense. Furthermore, when he was unemployed, no one came calling. He remained unemployed when the UFL came calling. Too many things say, to me, that he is not the answer. That stated he remains young so he can always turn over a new leaf. I am just hoping that if the Showboats moved to New Jersey that he does not come along. What the Showboats did defensively will not go over well in New Jersey. It just won’t. It’s funny because they would accept the offense, but not the defense. Think about this….the first person he signed was Boogie Roberts, another player no one signed last year. People knew he could not stop the run and the Showboats were last in stopping the run. That is someone he, specifically, brought in. It reminds me his focus is limited. It doesn’t mean he can’t learn, but your article was about whether he deserves to be back. I feel if you could get someone better, do so. I would see if Jon Tenuta would be up to coming back to coaching. He did a great job with the Breakers. Also you weren’t so forthcoming with the record in 2023. The Maulers were 4-6 in the regular season and in the playoffs gave up 55 points and 767 yards across the two games. His defense did not fair well. Sorry I just don’t see Jarren Horton has earned another shot.