Thomas Howard begins his first season as the Defensive Coordinator/ Linebacker Coach at Fayetteville State University. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the Bronco Defense.
Before joining the staff in Bronco land, Coach Howard was the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Alabama A&M University. There he coached SWAC 2nd All-Conference players, Cortez Andrews (LB), Dorian Wesley (DL), and Delvon Gulley (DB). During the 2024 season, he also coached 2 FCS Freshman All-Americans Gulley (DB) and Arenza Davis (DL).
Prior to joining the staff at Alabama A&M, Howard served as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach at South Carolina State University. Howard had the opportunity to work under one of college football coaching greats in Oliver "Buddy" Pough. His defense finished as one of the top defenses in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEC), finishing first in the conference in rush defense. Howard also coached All- MEAC linebacker Aaron Smith, defensive end Patrick Godbolt, and defensive tackle Naejuan Barber.
Before joining the staff at S.C. State, Howard was an integral part of the championship run at North Carolina A&T State University from 2015-2022.
During Howard's time at N.C. A&T, he helped lead the Aggies to four HBCU Black College National Championships, four Celebration Bowl Championships, and four MEAC championships. He began his time at N.C. A&T, under Coach Rod Broadway, coaching the inside linebackers. After the promotion of defensive coordinator and secondary coach Sam Washington to head coach in 2018, Washington assigned Howard as defensive backs coach.
Going into the 2022 season, Howard moved back to coaching inside linebackers and served as North Carolina A&T’s defensive passing coordinator. Howard led the defense to the numerous Big South Conference honors, including tops in total defense, rush defense, pass defense and pass defense efficiency. Also, the Aggies ranked in the Top 20 in all categories nationally. Howard also coached Big South First Team All-Conference linebacker Tyquan King and Pre-Season All-American, Big South Second Team All-Conference linebacker Jacob Roberts.
In his first season as defensive backs coach, cornerbacks Frank “Mac” McCain III (NFL DB) and Timadre Abram earned First Team All-MEAC honors. In addition, safety Jamaal Darden was second on the team in tackles, and the Aggies ranked 12th nationally in passing yards allowed. The following season, the Aggies ranked 35th nationally in interceptions.
In his first season with North Carolina A&T, Howard coached linebacker Denzel Jones to his first postseason honor as he earned Second Team All-MEAC recognition. In addition, Jones was also named the Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP.
Before coming to N.C. A&T, Howard was an assistant at the University of Findlay. He was the co-defensive and special teams coordinator. In addition, he also coached the defensive backs for three seasons and linebackers for one. During the 2014 season, Howard coached the defensive unit to 19 takeaways and 17 sacks. Howard led the defense to 19 takeaways and 35 sacks a year earlier. The defensive unit was also stout on third down as they allowed their opponents to convert only 39 percent of the time.
In 2012, the Oilers defense recorded 23 sacks, compared to only 14 the previous year. They also forced 21 turnovers on the season. During the 2011 campaign, the Oilers forced 24 turnovers, eight more than the year before. Howard also got the opportunity to coach preseason All-American and NFL safety Harold Jones-Quartey. Also in 2012, Howard was selected to participate in the 2012 NFL/NCAA Coaches Academy. He was one of 60 coaches chosen to attend a three-day program that provided former NFL players and current NCAA college coaches with skills and networking opportunities to further their careers in the coaching profession.
Howard came to Findlay after serving two years on the staff at Lincoln University, ending as the interim head coach in 2010. While at Lincoln, Howard served as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator. Howard’s defense finished 17th in Division II in pass defense during the 2010 season and finished first in total defense and turnovers caused in the GLFC during the 2009 season.
Before his time at Lincoln, Howard coached for three seasons at Slippery Rock University as the linebacker's coach. While at Slippery Rock, Howard had one of the best defenses in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and the nation.
Before his tenure at Slippery Rock, he was the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Allen University. He also served one year as the assistant athletic director/compliance coordinator and two years as the school’s academic adviser/recruiting coordinator.
Howard played four seasons at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.. He served two seasons as team captain and earned the team’s most improved player award as a junior and defensive back of the year award in his senior season. He graduated cum laude in May 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood development. Coach Howard has a daughter, Nyla and a son, Wade.
