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School Sports
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Saturday, June 28, 2008, 3:00 AM
Howard resigns as Bruins' coach By Paul Durham | Sports Editor Family matters most to Charles Howard, which is why he resigned his post earlier this month as Beddingfield varsity boys basketball coach after six seasons. "My family is my main priority," Howard said in a telephone interview Friday. "I just looked at my priorities when the season was over with and I knew the commitment I needed to make to the kids here (at Beddingfield) wasn't going to be what it needed to be. It's time." Howard, who has three children, will continue to teach computer business at Beddingfield. Bruins athletic director Jody O'Neal said the search for Howard's successor is underway. "I can completely understand because I went through that situation, too," said O'Neal. "There's different commitments you have to make. Family's got to come first and if you can work it out to do both, that's great. But it's hard." O'Neal praised Howard's commitment to not only basketball but also academics. "As an athletic director, that's what you're looking for in a coach," O'Neal said. Howard did not dismiss the notion that after 17 years as a basketball coach he won't return to the bench. "I'm going to take this time and enjoy my family," Howard said. "I know one day I'll get back into it. I know I still have a love and passion for it." Howard, a member of Fike's 1984 4-A state championship team under legendary head coach Harvey Reid Jr., coached at SouthWest Edgecombe for four years prior to coming to Beddingfield. Before that he had stints as an assistant coach at Barton College, North Carolina A&T State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and Savannah (Ga.) State University. But his last season was perhaps his toughest. A young Bruins team struggled throughout the season, winning just twice in 25 games. "This past season didn't have anything to do with my decision," Howard assured. "One thing I've learned in coaching is you do the best you can with what you have. "We had a young team this past year and I knew we would be up against some tough odds. But we hung in there and improved." Pointing out that he has never coached for wins or losses, Howard cited the reward of impacting lives. He was particularly proud when former players such as Julius Mercer, Everette Brown, Allen Speight, Arron King, Larry Jones and Alfred Artis, among others, gravitated back to Beddingfield during basketball season. Because of that connection, Howard says this isn't a good-bye to the game. "I think I'll always be involved," he said. "I love the game. I love mostly the relationship-building with the players and that's the thing I'll miss the most about coaching at Beddingfield." paul@wilsontimes.com | 265-7808
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