GREENCASTLE, IN - DePauw Athletics welcomes Larry Howard, a 2007 DePauw alum and nationally certified coach with over 15 years of experience in the strength and conditioning space, as the first head strength and conditioning coach and the director of the Welch Fitness Center.
"I am thrilled to return to DePauw University, a place that has always felt like home. As an alumnus, it feels like my journey has come full circle, and I am excited to give back to the institution that played such a pivotal role in shaping my career." "Starting a new strength and conditioning program at DePauw is not just a professional milestone but a deeply personal one, as it allows me to contribute to the growth and success of the next generation of student-athletes.
Howard was the director of strength and conditioning at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) since 2022 and worked as a seasonal player performance coach for two seasons with all eight of the United States Football League (USFL) from 2022-23. Prior to working at MGCCC, he spent 12 years with LH Fitness Solutions in Chicago, Illinois, as a sports performance coach and personal fitness trainer (CSCS).
During his tenure at MGCCC, Howard spearheaded the establishment of the institution's inaugural strength and conditioning program. Leveraging velocity-based training (VBT) technology, he designed programs centered on speed, agility, and conditioning. In addition to overseeing MGCCC's weight room, Howard recruited and trained a team of eight assistants and interns. His efforts directly contributed to the women's basketball team's triumph in the MAC Conference and their qualification for the NJCAA Division I tournament as a number 22 seed. The men's basketball team secured a commendable second place in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Region 23 Men's Basketball Championship, and the in-season football and men's golf training program propelled the MGCCC football team to two consecutive MACCC South Divisional Championships, and the men's golf team to a 2024 NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Title.
Since 2010, Howard has had his own personal fitness training and coaching business in Chicago and worked as an F45 Training and Spartan Race coach. Howard was a PT Readiness Trainer for the National Guard from 2012-16, and in 2017 served as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Howard is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and holds a USA Weightlifting Level 1 certification. He has TRX Level 1, Spartan Race Level 1, and Power Plate and Insanity certifications.
Howard graduated from DePauw University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in communications. He earned a master's in urban ministry from Trinity International University in 2012. In 2017, Howard obtained a master's degree in exercise science with a concentration in sports performance from Northeastern Illinois University.