Howell Varsity Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach: Matt Holcomb
  Coach Holcomb has experience coaching High School football at several different schools in Michigan since before 1988. Prior to joining the Varsity program in 2008 as the Defensive Coordinator, he had been part of the Junior Varsity program, coaching with his friend and fellow educator Ryan Ash. Coach Holcomb also has past experience coaching Freshman Baseball at Howell as well as Varsity Swim at Redford Union. Coach Holcomb is currently a Physical Education and Social Studies teacher at Howell High School. He lives in Howell with his lovely wife, Shelly, whose support is unwaivering, and his dog, Molly, whose walks with him keep his weight under 400 lbs.

Asst. Coach: Greg Miller

Asst. Coach: Ryan Ash
Ryan Ash has been coaching at Howell since 1999, he now coordinates Varsity Special Teams.  Coach Ash has also been the Highlander Football Strength Coach since 2000.  He is originally from Fowlerville and a 1996 graduate of Michigan Technological University in Biology, a minor in Chemistry and Physical Education.  Coach Ash will soon finish his Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Eastern Michigan University.  He has been teaching at Howell since 1998.   Coach Ash and his wife Tessa have two children Leah and Nathan.

Asst. Coach: Chase Moore

Asst. Coach: Craig Munro

Junior Varsity Coaching Staff

Head JV Coach: Marty Smith [email]
Marty Smith began coaching at Howell in 2007 having coached Howell Junior Football four years and Junior Baseball since 1999.  He was All State Honorable Mention for Football in 1982 while at Wayne Memorial High School.  Coach Smith received his B.S. from Grand Valley State University and now works as a Detective.  He is a 20 year Police Veteran.  Coach Smith enjoys coaching and lives in Howell with his wife Beth and two children Brian and Tara. 

Asst. Coach: Tom Mays

Asst. Coach: Sean Sabin

Asst. Coach: Tim Bailey

Freshman Coaching Staff

 Head Coach: Doug Sams [email]
Doug Sams began coaching at Howell in 2001 leading the 2006 Highlander Freshmen team to an exciting undefeated season and a Freshman cumulative 28-8 record.  Doug has coached at various levels since 1988 and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Doug was a member of the 1968 Pennsylvania State Championship American Legion Baseball team. Doug and his wife Betsy have two children Leslie and Kenny.  Coach Sams works as a Sales Consultant.

Asst. Coach: Ken Richards
Ken Richards began coaching at Howell in 2003.  Ken has been coaching at various levels and various sports since 1984 including Freshman Basketball and five years coaching JV softball for the Highlanders.  Coach Richards graduated from Central Michigan with a B.S. in Secondary Education.  Ken and his wife Karen have four children Kyle, Kory, Kevin (who all played football for Howell), and Kole.  Ken works for the City of Howell.

Asst. Coach: Tom Barrett
This is Coach Tom Barrett's 19th year of coaching High School football. Coach Barrett's coaching career started in 1971 at Gilbraltar Carlson High School, then 10 years at Ypsilanti High, 4 years for Brighton, and last year at Dearborn Crestwood., Coach Barrett is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degree's. Coach Barrett currently works at Highlander Middle School with special needs students.