PHILADELPHIA – To label April 9 a “good day” at La Salle University is putting it mildly.
Starting around 10:15 a.m., Explorer faithful, most donned in blue and yellow, began congregating inside Founders’ Hall. Over the next 45 minutes, numerous members of the media would join them. At a little after 11, Ashley Howard was officially introduced as the 19th head coach of La Salle University’s men’s basketball program.
Then the celebration, aided by streamers, music, heartfelt speeches, and a question-and-answer session, began.
“Athletics and men’s basketball may not be the most important thing we do at La Salle, but it’s front porch,” said La Salle University president Colleen Hanycz. “It’s what people see when they drive by. It really represents in a microcosm the broad culture and mission and experience of our school.
(Gallery above contains 13 photos from Ashley Howard's welcome ceremony at La Salle - Photos taken by John Knebels)
“To have this new opportunity really falls in line with the renaissance that La Salle has been going through across the board in every way – in the classroom, out of the classroom, and now on the basketball court. It is an exciting time, a lot of promise, and we have found a fine young man who understands our mission and the young players whom we serve here. He’s just going to add to that.”
Howard replaces 14-year coach Dr. John Giannini, who mutually agreed to step aside. A 1999 graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School, Howard played at Drexel University for three seasons before a medical issue cut short his collegiate playing days.
He served as a student assistant coach under Dragon’s coach Bruiser Flint and then accepted an offer to coach at La Salle under Giannini. He remained for four years before returning to Drexel for four seasons. After a one-year stint at Xavier University, Howard accepted an offer to join Jay Wright at Villanova, where he enjoyed two NCAA championships in five years.
According to Howard’s family, which includes wife Arianna and daughter Journey, this new chapter could not be more deserved.
“I don’t even have the words to express how I feel,” said sister Ayana Howard. “This has been my brother’s dream since he was little and to see it come to fruition is just an amazing feeling, especially being a La Salle alum. I’m thrilled.”
Ashley’s father, Mo Howard, is a former star at St. Joseph’s Prep and Maryland University who played one season in the NBA. Standing among a horde of supporters at a post-conference luncheon, Mo was taken aside and asked to describe his feelings as the family’s patriarch.
The visibly proud dad paused.
“Wow,” he said. “This is significant in the fact that it changes the game for La Salle. It changes the game for the city of Philadelphia and the communities in Philadelphia. Needless to say he has paid his dues. For my family, this wasn’t not expected, but it was unexpected that it would be La Salle. We had talked about coaching for a long time and all he ever wanted was (a head-coaching) interview. But in his first interview, he nails it.
“Not only does he get to stay home, he’s a part of the Big Five. If you’re from Philadelphia and you love basketball the way that we do, it’s pretty monumental.”
Howard told his dad that he would be the second person he’d call after he heard from La Salle. The first would be Arianna and Journey. When the phone rang, the first words Mo Howard heard were, “Dad, I got the call.” Mo Howard knew precisely what that meant.
Now, a whole new era begins.
“One of the things that I know about my son is his ability to bring families into these college environments and make everybody feel important,” said Howard. “Another thing is, he has an innate ability to go and watch a kid play and think of how good he can possibly be two years later. I don’t know many coaches or many people who have that innate ability to do that. So having said that, I think La Salle picked a pretty good guy to lead their program forward.”
Athletic director Bill Bradshaw couldn’t agree more.
“Today’s an exceptional day for La Salle University and for our basketball program,” said Bradshaw. “One of the best days we’ve had. For me, one of the best hires of my career. I couldn’t be happier with where we are today. This is for Philadelphia; it’s for the Big 5; it’s for the Atlantic 10; it’s for basketball. We got our guy, and I couldn’t be happier.”
La Salle luminaries were everywhere. Arguably La Salle’s best-ever product, seven-year NBA player and 5,833-point scorer Lionel Simmons, said Howard “has a youthfulness and jubilance that is going to rub off on the players and as well as the program. I think we’re on an upper swing.” Former men’s and women’s basketball coach Speedy Morris labeled the new hire “a home run.”
Among current players present was sophomore guard Saul Phiri.
“We’re definitely excited,” said Phiri. “We’re just ready to get back in the gym. Get prepared for next year. Definitely we have high expectations of ourselves so we are looking forward to it.
“Definitely it’s going to be a big change, but change has a chance to be good. Seeing how our system is going to be now. I think we were just hoping we got the right guy. I think we did definitely.”
In an impromptu private interview later, Ashley Howard summarized a whirlwind couple of weeks.
“Just a bundle of emotion,” he said. “Obviously I haven’t had a chance to just let everything settle from the national championship run and going right into the hire here at La Salle, but I’m excited to be the next head coach here at La Salle. I know we have some work to do.”
Although Villanova will always have a special place in her heart, aforementioned sister Ayana Howard will have to prepare a new wardrobe next winter.
“I have to let Jay know we are family forever,” she said, “until you play the Explorers.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)