(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Men’s Basketball has added Jerrance Howard to the staff as an Assistant Coach, Head Coach Bobby Hurley announced during the offseason.
Howard brings 20+ years of coaching experience with him to Arizona State. He most recently served as an Assistant Coach at Southern Illinois University during the 2023-24 season. Howard has garnered a reputation as one of the nation’s top recruiters as well as a fantastic talent evaluator.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Coach Hurley and the Sun Devil program,” Coach Howard reflected. “Nobody has more passion and energy than Coach Hurley and I look forward to learning from him and continuing to grow.”
Coach Hurley is building a decorated staff which has already been hard at work constructing the 2024-25 Sun Devil Men’s Basketball roster. Howard joins current members of the coaching staff Nick Irvin (assistant coach), Yusuf Ali (assistant coach), and Greg Lansing (special assistant to the head coach) to make up a diverse and well-respected group. He has been instrumental in securing the signatures of five-star recruit Jayden Quaintance as well as Top-100 transfers BJ Freeman, Alston Mason, and Basheer Jihad. Thanks to the efforts of the staff, Arizona State currently boasts the No. 8-ranked composite class (recruits + transfers) in the nation according to 247 Sports.
“ASU Basketball has experienced great success during Coach’s tenure,” Coach Howard observed. “Combine the rich tradition of Arizona State and the energy of the 942 crew with the move to the Big 12 and the momentum is building for something special in Tempe!”
Prior to his time with Southern Illinois, Howard was an Assistant Coach with the University of Texas for the 2021-22 season. There he worked under Head Coach Chris Beard and helped assemble the nation’s No. 1-ranked transfer class. He also helped the Longhorns land a Top-5 recruiting class and win their first NCAA Tournament game since 2014.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Coach Howard to the staff,” Coach Hurley mentioned. “His energy and passion are what make him such an elite recruiter and allow him to build strong relationships. He has already made a tremendous impact and is motivated to take Arizona State to the next level.”
From 2013-21 Howard was a part of Bill Self’s staff at the University of Kansas, serving as an assistant coach for eight seasons. While in Lawrence, Howard was part of the recruitment of several high profile prospects and helped maintain the winning culture of the historic Jayhawk program. Kansas won at least 25 games every season Howard was on the bench (only exception shortened COVID season) and reached the 30-win mark on three different occasions. He was part of one Final Four and three Elite Eight runs with the Jayhawks.
When Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown took over the SMU program in 2012, Jerrance Howard was the first addition to his staff. Howard helped kick start the rebuild of the Mustangs program that would embark on a major turnaround. In his one season in Dallas, Howard put together a Top-10 recruiting class and was a major part of establishing a foundation for a team that would go on to win 25+ games in three straight seasons under Brown.
Howard’s first full-time coaching job was at his alma mater Illinois. He spent five seasons (2007-12) as an assistant coach of the Fighting Illini working under coaching legend Bruce Weber. During his tenure, llinois was 98-73 (.573) overall and put together three straight 20-win seasons from 2009-11. The 24 wins in 2009 remain the program’s second-most successful campaign in the last 15 seasons. The Fighting Illini were the 2009 Big Ten regular season runner-ups in 2009 and enjoyed three top-five Big Ten finishes in a five year span while Howard was in Champaign. He helped lead Illinois to two NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2011) and was the lead recruiter on back-to-back national top-15 signing classes in 2010 and 2011.
Following his collegiate playing career, Howard immediately pursued a future in coaching. His first job in the profession was serving as a Graduate Assistant on Billy Gillespie’s staff at Texas A&M Unviersity. He was a member of the Aggies support staff from 2004-07, establishing himself as one of the top young minds in the game. It led to a position with the University of Kentucky in the Summer of 2007, where he got to show off his ability to recruit for the first time. Howard helped the Wildcats secure a Top-10 recruiting class despite his brief stint in Lexington, as he would go on to be hired at Illinois prior to the start of the 2007 season.
Very few assistant coaches boast a list of former players like Howard’s, as he has recruited, signed, and developed some of the top talent in the nation. Players that Howard has recrruited or coached include Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Acie Law IV (Texas A&M), Joel Embiid (Kansas), Meyers Leonard (Illinois), Patrick Patterson (Kentucky), Devonte’ Graham (Kansas), Emmanuel Mudiay (SMU), Josh Jackson (Kansas), DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M), Kelly Oubre Jr. (Kansas) plus many more.
During a standout playing career at Illinois, Howard showed glimpses of the leadership and commitment required to become a Coach later in life. While a student-athlete in Champaign, Howard played for Bill Self from 2000-04. He was named team captain for his final two seasons (2003 & 2004). Illinois compiled a 126-41 record during his five-year career, including a 59-21 stretch in Big Ten play. He was part of the first team in program history to win 25+ games in four straight seasons. Howard was a part of three Big Ten Championships (2001, 2002, 2004), becoming the first player in program history to accomplish the feat. He never missed the NCAA Tournament with the Fighting Illini, making three Sweet 16s (2001, 2002, 2004) and one Elite Eight (2001) while wearing the orange and blue.
Howard earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from the University of Illinois in 2004. Howard will be joined in Tempe by his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Jerrance Jr. and Jaya.
“My family and I are grateful for this opportunity,” Coach Howard added. “After 20 years of being in basketball, we are blessed to say Forks Up!”
Press Release Courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
Click on Logo
