The Cleveland Browns named Ray Horton defensive coordinator on Jan. 18, 2013.
He served in the same capacity the previous two seasons (2011-12) with the Arizona Cardinals. Horton’s résumé includes 19 years of experience coaching in the NFL, following a 10-year playing career as a defensive back.
The Cleveland Browns named Ray Horton defensive coordinator on Jan. 18, 2013.
He served in the same capacity the previous two seasons (2011-12) with the Arizona Cardinals. Horton’s résumé includes 19 years of experience coaching in the NFL, following a 10-year playing career as a defensive back.
This past season, Horton guided a defensive unit that led the NFL in passer rating allowed (71.2) and interception percentage (4.4%). His defense also ranked second in the NFL in interceptions (22) and third-down efficiency (32.9%), third in red zone defense (44.4%) and fourth in takeaways (33). The defense also ranked fifth in passing defense (200.8 ypg), first downs allowed (288) and points allowed per drive (1.42).
Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson ranked fourth in the NFL with seven interceptions and led the league with five fumble recoveries en route to being the only Cardinal selected to the 2013 Pro Bowl. Horton made an immediate impact upon his arrival in 2011, as the club’s defense allowed 34 total touchdowns, their fewest since 1994, while leading the NFL in third down efficiency (31.4%).
Prior to his time in Arizona, Horton spent seven seasons (2004-10) as the defensive backs/assistant defensive backs coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his tenure in Pittsburgh, he helped the Steelers defense rank in the top 10 in the NFL in total defense each season, including leading the NFL on three occasions (2004, ’07-08). Horton was pivotal in the development of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, as he was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls (2005-10), named a first-team All-Pro three times (2005, 2008, 2010) and was voted as the 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Horton began his coaching career in Washington, where he served as assistant defensive backs/defensive assistant for three seasons (1994-96). He then made two stops as defensive backs coach with the Cincinnati Bengals (1997-2001) and Detroit Lions (2002-03), before landing in Pittsburgh.
A second-round selection (53rd overall) by Cincinnati in the 1983 NFL Draft, Horton appeared in 147 games with 99 starts with the Bengals (1983-88) and Dallas Cowboys (1989-92). Over the course of his career, he notched 19 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles and scored five defensive touchdowns. He also made two Super Bowl appearances, playing in Super Bowl XXIII with Cincinnati and winning Super Bowl XXVII with Dallas.
A three-year letterman (1980-82) as a defensive back at the University of Washington, Horton earned All-Pac 10 honors and played in two Rose Bowls.
A native of Tacoma, Washington, he attended Mount Tacoma High School where he was an All-American. He is married (Karena) and has a daughter, Taylor and a son, Jarren.
Ray Horton’s Coaching Background:
1994-96 Washington Redskins, assistant defensive backs/defensive assistant coach
1997-2001 Cincinnati Bengals, defensive backs coach
2002-03 Detroit Lions, defensive backs coach
2004-10 Pittsburgh Steelers, defensive backs/assistant defensive backs coach
2011-12 Arizona Cardinals, defensive coordinator
2013- Cleveland Browns, defensive coordinator
