Naples High School’s beloved teacher and offensive coordinator, Paul Horne, announced his retirement from coaching on Monday.
“It takes a lot of energy to do what we have done for so long,” Horne said. “I want to allocate my time and energy to other things.”
In his 24 years of coaching, Horne coached some of Naples High’s most talented athletes including the teams that went on to win 19 district championships, eight regional championships, and two state championships.
“Obviously, the moments after winning the state championships were memorable,” Horne said. “However, it’s always fun to watch our former players go on to receive college degrees and bring their families back to visit Naples High.”
Horne plans on using his extra time to visit family, most notably his five children, who live in various places across the United States.
“Coaching in the fall cuts down time available to travel,” Horne said. “Other than [visiting my children], I want to participate in reunions more and see old friends.”
Although Horne is retiring from the football program, he will still be rooting for Naples High from the stands. He is excited to see what the next generation of coaches and players has to offer.
“To be as good as we’ve been for as long as we’ve been,” Horne said. “[our record] is quite a testament to how everybody who has come through the program has answered the call that us coaches have put down.”
*Coach Horne has since announced that he will be coming out of retirement and returning to coach at Naples High this fall
