Jimmy Howard Promoted to Associate Head Coach
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jimmy Howard, who has served as an assistant coach with the Howard women's basketball team for the past two seasons, has been promoted to the role of associate head coach, head coach Niki Reid Geckeler announced on Monday.
"Jimmy (Howard) has proven to be an invaluable contributor to the program," Geckeler said. "This promotion is to reward the hard work, dedication and effort Jimmy has put into the program as we continue to move in a positive direction."
During his second season, Howard helped lead a remarkable turnaround that saw the Lady Bison place fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the highest finish for Howard since the 2004-05 season, as HU ranked among the conference's leaders in offensive rebounds per game (No. 1, 16.1), rebound margin (No. 2, +2.2), scoring defense (No. 3, 59.0) and free-throw percentage (No. 3, 70.5).
In Howard's first year at the Mecca, the Lady Bison finished as one of the most-improved teams in the MEAC. HU won five more games than the previous season in the turnaround.
Coach Howard is responsible for many aspects of the women's basketball program including national and international recruiting, player development and serving as the post and wing coach.
HU brought in a highly decorated recruiting class in 2008-09 under Howard's guidance, and the Lady Bison have signed 10 student-athletes since his arrival two years ago. The signing class of eight following his first season consisted of several top players from ranked programs.
"It is truly an honor to be promoted to the position of associate head coach at a school with such a tremendous basketball history as Howard University," Howard said. "We are extremely excited about what we have been able to accomplish these past two seasons and are thrilled with the prospects for the future."