Longtime San Diego State Aztecs offensive coordinator Jeff Horton made the shocking decision to retire from coaching on Tuesday, which has opened the door for a former program standout to become the team’s new offensive coordinator.
Horton had been with the Aztecs for 12 seasons, which has seen him have multiple stints as offensive coordinator. He revealed in a statement on Tuesday that retirement is something that he has thought about for quite some time.
“Retirement is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time,” Horton said, via San Diego State’s team website. “I’ve always said I wanted my retirement to be my decision. In this profession 99 percent of the time you don’t get to leave on your terms and I’m getting to do that.”
The program was quick to name a successor to Horton, promoting former SDSU standout Ryan Lindley from their quarterback’s coach to his new role of offensive coordinator.
Congrats to @CoachRLindley, who has been promoted to offensive coordinator. #TheTimeIsNowhttps://t.co/UT2Gvqsglt pic.twitter.com/Y9CCMShbeM
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) January 18, 2023
Lindley played at the program from 2008-2011, where he broke a number of school passing records, including total passing yards and passing touchdowns over his collegiate career.
The CFB world seems to be intrigued with this hire considering his vast experience at both the college and NFL levels as a quarterback.
“No surprise that quarterbacks coach Ryan Lindley will get an opportunity to be SDSU’s new offensive coordinator,” tweeted Kirk Kenney of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
ALSO BREAKING: And no surprise that @AztecFB quarterbacks coach Ryan Lindley will get an opportunity to be SDSU's new offensive coordinator. Story to come. https://t.co/Cpf82mcl54
— Kirk D Kenney (@sdutkirKDKenney) January 18, 2023
“Former teammate!! Coworker and friend! Let’s light it up 14!!” tweeted San Diego State Assistant Recruiting Coordinator Nik Embernate.
Former teammate!! Co Worker and Friend! Let’s light it up 14!! #Aztecforlife https://t.co/Z0VQFx1wzS
— Nik Embernate (@NEmbernate) January 18, 2023
While this is a great promotion for Ryan Lindley, he seemingly has his hands full rebuilding an SDSU offense that finished in the bottom 20 in FBS football in total yards in 2022.
[San Diego State Football on Twitter]
