Gary Howard

Gary Howard (born January 3, 1942) is an American former football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Central Oklahoma—from 1977 to 2002, compiling a career college football record of 161–106–6, four NAIA playoff appearances, three NCAA Division II playoff appearances, two conference championships, and a national championship. He is winningest coach the history of the Central Oklahoma program.

Early life Howard was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He attended Tulsa Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he played football, and basketball under Eddie Sutton. He attended the University of Arkansas and played offensive line and linebacker under Frank Broyles from 1960 to 1963.

Early coaching Howard began his coaching career in 1964 as the offensive line coach at Arkansas. During that season the team won a share of the National Championship. In 1965 and 1966 Howard was an assistant at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma. He was an assistant coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma. While at NEO the Norsemen won the 1967 NJCAA National Football Championship. Prior to the 1968 season, Howard accepted a position at Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Central Oklahoma NAIA era Howard became the defensive coordinator at Central State College in 1968 under Phil Ball. In 1977 Howard succeeded Ball as the head coach. He oversaw the program's transition from a brief period in NCAA Division II back to NAIA competition, as an independent. During the first two seasons Howard's Bronchos went 12–8–1. In 1979, he led the Bronchos to the program's third NAIA playoff appearance and an 11–2 record. The Bronchos lost the NAIA National Championship Game to Texas A&I 20–14. Three years later he returned to the playoffs this time winning the NAIA National Championship over Mesa State 14–11. Howard also won the NAIA Coach of the Year award. The next season the Bronchos returned to the playoffs but lost to Saginaw Valley State in the first round. In 1985 the Bronchos lost in the first round to Henderson State in the institution's final NAIA playoff appearance. The first year of the new format the Bronchos captured the North Division title, and Howard won the North Division coach of the year award. In 1998 the Bronchos finished the regular season undefeated, and won their first Lone Star Conference Championship. However, in the NCAA playoffs the UCO lost in the second round to conference foe Texas A&M–Kingsville. In 2000 TAMU–K forfeited their entire 1998 season following NCAA infractions. In 1999 the Bronchos also won the Conference title. The final three years experienced a decline of a 5–5, 3–8, and 5–6 records. Howard was fired after the 2002 season. He finished with an overall record of 161–106–6.

Personal life Howard is married.

Head coaching record College football