If you've ever wondered how to shake up the college basketball world while sticking to tried and tested conservative values, look no further than Ashley Howard. Who? The same Ashley Howard who stormed the Drexel University ranks in Philadelphia and marched onto the court at La Salle University as the head coach of the Explorers in 2018. Why? Because the college basketball world needed a straighter, more disciplined arrow—and someone had to hit that bullseye. His mission: no-nonsense coaching devoid of meaningless trends or politically-correct nonsense.
Ashley Howard was born in Pennsylvania, the heartland that produces sturdy individuals. He was raised in Philadelphia, a city known for its blue-collar workers and no-nonsense demeanor. After completing his high school education, Howard laid down roots at Drexel University for a Bachelor's degree and later dove headlong into professional coaching. But what puts him head and shoulders above the many others who lead collegiate teams around the country is not just his skill on the hardwood, but his unapologetic will to stay anchored in his values.
Howard tackled his first head coaching gig at La Salle University in 2018. Let’s not kid ourselves; he wasn't stepping into a dream team fresh off championship victories. He stepped into a team that needed a firm hand, a clearer direction, and what many might say, old-school values that focus on discipline and hard work. Not a team full of entitled superstars, but kids willing to work for something bigger than fleeting fame.
What's more compelling than a fresh approach in these times when everyone's attention span can only stretch to the next flamboyant tweet or headline? Oh yes, Ashley Howard chose the path least trodden, which often is the most rewarding. While some would romanticize the idea of culture-focused tactics that might go easy on players in favor of feel-good moments, Howard stuck to the basics. Discipline, strategy, and results. And why shouldn’t he? It’s been working since the dawn of time, why shift away from it now?
You might wonder, what's Howard's secret sauce? Coaching has never been about mollycoddling young adults; it's about guiding them to become successful adults. His practical and assertive approach is refreshing in an age where nobody wants to hear the word 'no.' Players didn't get a participation ribbon; they got feedback, whether they liked it or not. It’s this belief in the cold, hard reality of competitive sports that ultimately drives success. And in Howard's eyes, athletes should pave their own way, without the distorted view through liberal rose-colored glasses.
Those with an eye on college basketball may have noticed his defensive-oriented play style—a basic cornerstone that many seem to overlook. Who’s actually the wiser? Those who grasp at new flashy strategies that give momentary success, or those who hold onto their guiding principles like Rodin’s Thinker? Ah, the moral of the story: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
His recruits: young men who were ready to put in the effort and follow a leader they trust. Howard isn’t just about building a brand-name team of "you-scratch-my-back-I’ll-make-you-famous" types. He invests in character, academic performance, and the readiness to earn everything on merit. In the real world, no one's going to hand you a six-figure salary for being mediocre or having a famous last name.
So, whether it’s leading his team through a tough Atlantic 10 Conference or shedding some dead weight along the way, Howard isn't after instant gratification. He wouldn’t sacrifice principles for popularity. Instead, through all the ups and downs, he stays focused. Imagine setting roots in a city teeming with history, yet rife with today’s challenges, and sticking to the basics to create successful, well-rounded individuals both on and off the court.
Ashley Howard’s approach might not end up on the front page of the sports section with over-sensationalized headlines, but in this case, that’s the point. Young men need role models like Howard, who will sit them down and give it to them straight, telling them what they need to hear and not what they want to hear. It’s just what the doctor ordered for a society that’s forgotten the importance of hard work and dedication. Where else but on the basketball court can you cultivate a leader to face tomorrow’s world?
Ashley Howard stands firm. He's not about to switch gears and ride the latest trendy coaching wave. Instead, he remains steadfast, doing things his way: traditional yet revolutionary in these progressive times. His story is one of a quiet, unwavering resolve, a level-headedness that might not garner the glitz and glamour but certainly generates the right results and builds character like no other. After all, in a world increasingly leaning towards chaos, it's the rational, talented, and grounded few who manage to set the score.