Gregg Horner is an American college football coach and former player. He is the assistant head football coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach for Valley City State University, positions he has held since 1996. A member of the Vikings' coaching staff since 1994, Horner is one of the longest-tenured defensive coordinators in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). He was named the 2012 AFCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year, one of the highest national honors for an assistant coach.
A native of Fargo, North Dakota, Horner played offensive line for Valley City State University from 1986 to 1989. He was a member of the 1988 NDCAC championship team and contributed to the program's NAIA playoff appearance that season.
Horner began his coaching career at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner, Kansas, serving as both an assistant coach and social science instructor. He later spent three seasons as a graduate assistant at South Dakota State University, coaching the defensive line while completing his master's degree.
Horner returned to Valley City State University in 1994 as defensive line coach before being elevated to defensive coordinator and assistant head coach in 1996. He has remained VCSUâÂÂs defensive play-caller ever since, helping guide the program to five conference championships and multiple NAIA playoff berths.
Horner's defenses have frequently ranked among the top NAIA units. During the 2012 AFCA national award announcement, Horner was recognized for overseeing a unit that finished top-10 nationally in scoring defense and total defense.
In 2021, media outlets noted the Vikings' defensive resurgence under Horner as VCSU opened the season 5âÂÂ0 and finished with a top-15 NAIA scoring defense.
Horner earned his bachelor's degree from Valley City State University in 1990 and completed a master's degree at South Dakota State University in 1994.
Horner is a graduate of Fargo North High School.