Hornsby Howell facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1927 |
| Died | October 3, 2017 (aged 90) Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| c. 1946 | North Carolina A&T |
| Position(s) | Center |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1950–1952 | Jordan Sellers HS (NC) |
| 1961 | Southern (assistant) |
| 1964–1967 | North Carolina A&T (assistant) |
| 1968–1976 | North Carolina A&T |
| 1982 | Georgia (scout team) |
| Basketball | |
| 1964–1968 | North Carolina A&T (assistant) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1968–? | North Carolina A&T |
| 1996–1998 | Savannah State (interim AD) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 55–34–4 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 MEAC (1975) | |
| Awards | |
| 2× MEAC Coach of the Year (1974–1975) | |
Hornsby Howell (born September 3, 1927 – died October 3, 2017) was an important figure in American football. He was a talented player and a successful coach. He is most famous for being the head football coach at North Carolina A&T University.
Howell led the North Carolina A&T team from 1968 to 1976. During his time as head coach, his team had a strong record. They won 55 games, lost 34, and tied 4. In 1982, he also made history at the University of Georgia. He became the school's first African-American football coach. He served there as a scout team assistant coach.
Playing and Early Coaching
Hornsby Howell played football as a center. He played for the North Carolina A&T Aggies around 1946. After his playing days, he began his coaching career.
He coached high school football at Jordan Sellers High School in North Carolina from 1950 to 1952. Later, he moved to college coaching. He was an assistant coach at Southern University in 1961. From 1964 to 1967, he returned to North Carolina A&T as an assistant football coach. He also served as an assistant men's basketball coach there from 1964 to 1968.
Head Coach at North Carolina A&T
Hornsby Howell became the head football coach for the North Carolina A&T Aggies in 1968. He led the team for nine seasons until 1976. His teams were known for their strong performance.
In 1975, his team had a fantastic season. They won the MEAC championship. This was a major achievement for the program. Howell was recognized for his excellent coaching. He won the MEAC Coach of the Year award twice, in both 1974 and 1975.
During his time, North Carolina A&T played in two different conferences. From 1968 to 1970, they were part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Then, from 1971 to 1976, they competed in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Later Career and Legacy
After his successful time as head coach, Howell continued to contribute to college sports. In 1982, he joined the University of Georgia as a scout team assistant coach. This was a significant moment, as he was the first African-American football coach at the university.
Howell also took on administrative roles. He served as an athletic director at North Carolina A&T for a period starting in 1968. Later, he was the interim athletic director at Savannah State University from 1996 to 1998. Hornsby Howell passed away on October 3, 2017, at the age of 90, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He left behind a legacy as a pioneering coach and leader in college sports.
