George Fox University has tabbed a program alum and record holder to be the next head coach of their successful women’s basketball program.
Lauren Howard, who most recently coached with former Bruin head coach Michael Meek at the University of Portland, will take the helm as women’s basketball head coach for the 2023-24 season.
Howard served as the director of basketball operations for the Portland Pilots for one season. In Howard’s one year with the Pilots, the team qualified for their first NCAA Tournament in 26 years. The Pilots beat Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference Tournament, 64-60, before falling to Oklahoma in the first round.
“Lauren stood out throughout the entire search process as the person that will guide our program forward in all three of our missional tenets: athletic excellence, academic success, and Christ-like character,” George Fox Athletic Director Adam Puckett said.
Howard, then known as Lauren Codling, played for the Bruins from 2013-15; after playing two seasons for both Mount Hood CC and Chemeketa CC, she arrived at Fox and appeared in 60 contests for the team during those seasons. Howard started all 33 games in the Bruins’ 2014-15 national championship run as Fox started the year 32-0 before falling to the Thomas More Saints in the NCAA Division III National Championship.
“I am so excited to be back at Fox and cannot wait for the upcoming season,” Howard said, “Everything George Fox encompasses is what I have searched for in a coaching job.”
Howard, then Lauren Codling, during her junior season in 2013 (her first with the Bruins).
Howard led the team in six different categories in the Bruins’ storied 2014-15 season, earning First-Team All-NWC Honors. In her senior season, she averaged 11.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest— becoming the fourth player in George Fox history to average a double-double for a season.
Her name currently appears nine times in the Bruin record books, recording the most rebounds in a season (372) and steals in a season (110), both in 2014-15.
“My time here as a student-athlete was some of my most memorable days,” Howard said, “I am excited to be part of Fox in a different capacity and give these young women a great experience.”
After her career at Fox, Howard spent time as head coach of her alma mater, Sherwood High School. In three seasons as coach, Howard compiled a record of 39-29, qualifying for the playoffs in both seasons where they were offered.
In her final season as head coach, Sherwood finished 15-10 overall and a perfect 12-0 in league play, advancing to the second round of the OSAA 6A State Championships. Howard served as a substitute teacher for the Sherwood School District for five years (2017-22) and was a social media specialist for Nike from 2015-16. She currently resides in Sherwood with her husband Jonny and children Cooper, Presley, and Quinn.
“Beyond basketball, what we see the most in Lauren is her ability to lead and to lead really well,” Puckett said of the new head coach, “As an alumna of our program, she understands the history and tradition of George Fox Women’s basketball and what it takes both on and off the court to win at a high level. She is passionate about the university and our mission. She is highly relational and will extend our university’s ‘be known’ promise in every way, shape, and manner.”
“After meeting the team, it shows how much they love and care about each other,” Howard said, “I am excited to be a part of it and help lead George Fox women’s basketball as a highly competitive, faith-based program.”
The George Fox women’s basketball team has had a storied history, compiling 31 total winning seasons and qualifying for the NCAA National Championship three times, winning the 2009 title over Washington University. The Bruins most recently qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2020, reaching the Sweet Sixteen before the tournament was ultimately canceled.
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