It was no surprise to me that Darrin Horn was announced as the new head coach at a BCS level school - South Carolina that is a part of the SEC, which is the best sports conference in the NCAA. It more than quadrupled his salary and put him in a position, as a coach, to compete with the best competition in college sports.
His departure surprised some people here in Bowling Green, which surprised me. Sure, he could have stayed here where he was comfortable. But Darrin is not about being comfortable. He is a man that has always sought to stretch himself and be in a position to compete at the highest levels. Having the opportunity to make over a million dollars with bonuses doesn't hurt either.
I am going to miss Coach Horn. He was a member of my church and a friend who sought to live out the i-squared strategy and help people get to God, grow in Christ, and give to others.
When I think about Coach Horn at WKU (click here and vote for Ty Rogers' Shot), I remember a coach that had me come every week and teach his players the Gospel. I had a non-mandatory Bible study with the team every week for the past 3 years. We had almost 100% participation and those guys heard the Gospel. Almost all of them have visited Living Hope and several consider it their church. This was the i-squared work of Darrin Horn.
I will also remember that his family was one that went to Kniceley. When we needed space and people to serve at a new location, Darrin and his wife Carla went with their two children and served. Darrin showed up early to set up and stayed after to take down. Carla served in the children's area. Why? Because they love Jesus and His church. They were also both very involved in their small group and were consistently in church on Sunday morning and at our mid-week worship, 20:20.
Most people will remember that Darrin graduated 100% of his players, was one of only a handful of coaches to win 100 games by age 34, led his team to the Sweet 16, and recruited and prepared an NBA bound conference player of the year in Courtney Lee.
I will remember that Darrin was and is a man who knows and loves Jesus and has and is leading his family to do the same.
Please join me in praying for Darrin and his family as they transition to Columbia, SC. Pray that they will be led by God to the church He has for them. Pray that their marriage will grow stronger during this transition. Pray that their children will adapt well. Pray that they will find Christian friends to do life with.
9 comments:
your loss is our gain. It is awesome to see such a man of God take over our basketball program. I have a feeling that Coach Horn is going to find his new home to his liking quickly. and obviously, Bowling Green and Living Hope will always be home to him as well.
Thank you for making such an impact in his life as a Pastor!!
We couldn't agree more!
-- Brent and Amy
this is a beautiful tribute to Coach Horn! I am a native South Carolinian/Gamecock and we are thrilled to have Coach Horn and Carla here! We are a Christ loving state and fanbase just like Kentucky and the people of your state! I just wanted to let you know how excited we are to welcome the Horn family to South Carolina.
It was such an encouragement to show our boys that "The Big Red Basketball Coach" was sitting just across the aisle from us on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Though they are only six, it made a great impact on them to see a sports figure they admire to actively live out his faith. Thanks Coach Horn and keep doing the same in Columbia, SC!
A very good post that really made me revisit my own thoughts on the matter.
Thank you Pastor.
Jason, thanks for dropping by my site. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
Yogi
We were all blessed to have such a great Christian man serve alongside us here at LHBC. We'll all miss him and his family, but we wish you all the very best that God has in store for you at SC!
Wow. He sure sounds different than what I remember. I never met that man. Would have been nice.
You really missed out. He is a fine man.
jp
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