NOC names softball coach

ENID — Bryan Howard has accepted the position of NOC Enid head softball coach effective July 1, Northern Oklahoma College athletic director Jeremy Hise has announced.

“Bryan is a proven winner, winning the state championship three of the last four years," Hise said . "He is a passionate, high energy coach who cares a great deal about his players. He is going to challenge his players, help them improve on and off the field, and I believe that he will do that in a way in which his student-athletes will enjoy playing for him and enjoy their experiences at Northern.”

NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans said, “We are excited to have Coach Howard lead the Jets softball team. He brings a great knowledge of the game and a proven record as demonstrated by the many prestigious coaching awards that he has been recognized with throughout his successful career.”

Howard comes to Northern after leading the Mustang High School Broncos to a 2014 Class 6A state fast-pitch softball championship, their first since capturing the title in 1988. His 2014 record was 36-4 and his overall high school head softball coaching record is 243-81 and includes nine District and eight Regional championships. Howard was also honored with the 2014 All-State, Region and Conference Coach of the Year awards; and served as 2014 All-State head coach.

Prior to his success at Mustang, Howard led the Washington High School softball program to the 2013 Class 3A fast-pitch state championship, was named 2013 Oklahoma Fast-Pitch Coach of the Year, and Region 5 and Conference Coach of the Year. In 2012 his WHS team reached the fast-pitch semifinals, and in 2011 he coached the Washington slow-pitch team to a state championship and the fast-pitch team to the semifinals, was named Oklahoma, Conference, Region 5 fast-pitch and All-State coach of the year. Under Howard’s leadership WHS was fast-pitch state runner-up and made it to the slow-pitch semifinals in 2010, and in 2009 reached the state fast-pitch quarterfinals and slow-pitch semifinals.

Before he began his high school coaching career he led club teams to several International Fastpitch Association (IFA), Amateur Softball association (ASA) and United States Specialty Sports Association (USSA) championships and over 700 combined wins.

“I am extremely excited to be here and a part of the NOC athletic department and to work with all of the great coaches here. It is an honor to lead the Jets Softball program,” Howard said

Howard, a Henryetta native and Northeastern State University graduate, has two adult daughters, Kristan of Tulsa and Tymber, a Northeastern State University Junior and softball team member; and two granddaughters, Isabell and Audree.