After having served as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at LSU Shreveport for the past 11 seasons, Ronnie Howell has decided to return to his "roots" by accepting the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach Position at Shreveport’s Northwood High School. Howell cited the rigors of recruiting and travel in college coaching as major factors in his decision. He also indicated his desire to be able to more closely follow the football playing career of his son, Cameron, as he enters his junior year at Airline High School.
Howell was named the Lady Pilots’ coach for the 2003-2004 season when LSUS reinstated both its men’s and women’s programs that year. He compiled an overall record of 194-137 and a conference record of 121-85 during his tenure at the school. His teams appeared in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Tournament’s final game is 2009, 2010 and 2012 while earning invitations to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. His best overall season was 2008-2009 when his Lady Pilots posted records of 27-6 overall and 16-3 in the RRAC. He coached four NAIA All-Americans at LSUS, including Valerie Huizar (2008-09), Sharday Cotton (2010-11), Sharde Henry (2011-12 and 2012-13) and Jenna Diakos (2012-13 and 2013-14).
Athletic Director Chad McDowell has worked alongside Howell the past 11 years at LSUS. "We are thankful to Coach Howell for his years of dedicated service as our women’s basketball head coach," commented McDowell. "It has been a lot of fun and an honor to work with a great basketball coach and even a better person. I wish him all the best."
Prior to moving to LSUS, Howell spent 15 years as a basketball coach in Louisiana, including stints at Sibley High School (head girls’ coach and assistant boys’ coach), Donnie Bickham Middle School (head girls’ coach), C. E. Byrd High School (assistant boys’ and head girls’ coach) and Bossier High School (head boys’ coach). His Donnie Bickham squad won a city championship while his Byrd teams played in five consecutive class 5A state playoffs, including two state Runner-up finishes. His Bossier team won a district championship and appeared in four straight class 4A state playoffs.
Howell graduated from Airline High School where he was a stand-out in basketball and baseball. He received his B. A. degree from Baptist Christian College and completed teacher certification in special education through LSU Shreveport.
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