A talented leader with extensive community college and NCAA Division I experience, Dieter Horton returns for his second season as the men’s basketball head coach at Cal State L.A. A tireless recruiter and strong defensive mind, Horton sees a bright future ahead for the Golden Eagle program.
Horton led the Golden Eagles to a 10-16 overall record and an 8-14 mark in California Collegiate Athletic Association in his first year at Cal State L.A. The Golden Eagles were outstanding on defense and were known throughout the conference for their hard work and hustle. Cal State L.A. ranked 14th in the country in scoring defense after allowing opponents just 62.9 points per game. The Golden Eagles were also among the national leaders in field-goal percentage defense and allowed opponents to shoot just 41.7 percent from the floor.
The signature win of Horton’s first season was a 58-56 win over Cal Poly Pomona in the Eagles Nest on Jan. 17. It was the first win over the Broncos in Los Angeles since 2010. The Golden Eagles also recorded a sweep of conference foe Cal State Dominguez Hills and posted an impressive win over San Francisco State in front of an excited Homecoming crowd on Feb. 27.
Horton also led the Golden Eagles to a big road win over defending CCAA Tournament champion Cal State Stanislaus.
Horton came to Cal State L.A. in 2014 with an outstanding resume of success. He reached the post season in each of his 14 years as a community college head coach and spent four seasons as an assistant coach at USC.
Horton has coached a pair of players currently in the National Basketball Association: Dewayne Dedmon, while at Antelope Valley College and USC, and Nikola Vucevic, the 16th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, while at USC. Both players are currently with the Orlando Magic.
A firm believer in helping his players mature, learn accountability and graduate, Horton was on the men’s basketball staff at USC from 2010-14. He was an assistant coach for his first three seasons with the Trojans and served as a special assistant to the head coach in his final year. In that capacity, he greatly aided the transition to the new leadership of Andy Enfield.
During his tenure at USC, he was the lead recruiter for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 classes and was instrumental in the men’s basketball program recording its highest graduation rate in 15 years. The recruiting class in 2013 was ranked No. 21 in the nation. Horton also helped USC reach the NCAA Tournament in 2011 with the conference’s No. 1-ranked defense.
Horton enjoyed tremendous success as a head coach on the community college level. He came to USC from Antelope Valley College, where he compiled a 94-46 record and led his team to the 2007 state championship final. The Marauders went 31-7 that season and set a school record for wins. The state championship game appearance was the first in the program’s history.
While at Antelope Valley, seven of his former players received NCAA Division I scholarships.
Horton was also the head coach at Fullerton College for 10 seasons and posted a 198-124 record. The highlight of his tenure came in 2006 when Fullerton went 37-0 and won the state championship. The 37 wins were a single-season record in California community college history and the Hornets were only the fourth team to record a perfect record. Horton joined Jerry Tarkanian, Bill Mulligan and Vance Walberg in that exclusive club. Horton eventually ran that streak to a record 50 straight victories, eclipsing the old mark of 42 set by Bill Bertka in 1962.
Horton was named the conference Coach of the Year three times and was the 2006 State Coach of the Year. Thirty-five of his Fullerton players signed with NCAA Division I programs and another 18 signed with NCAA Division II and NAIA programs.
In 2011, he was recognized by Basketball Times Magazine as one of the best future NCAA Division I Head Coaches in America.
Horton graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1994 with a degree in physical education and spent two years as the student manager for the Titans’ basketball team and another as the program’s administrative assistant. He received his Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific.
Before that, he was an assistant coach at Villa Park and Fullerton high schools. He played basketball for three seasons at Fullerton High.
Horton is married and his wife’s name is Chelsie. He has a son, Charles, who is 11, and a 2-year-old daughter, Ellie.
