Howland named men's basketball head coach
Mississippi State Men's Basketball Head Coach Ben Howland was officially introduced to media and Bulldog fans during a press conference at Humphrey Coliseum last week. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs
In three different stops as a head coach, Ben Howland has established himself as a proven winner en route to leading his teams to the NCAA Tournament. Now, he’s been handed the task of getting Mississippi State back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2009.
Last Monday [March 23], MSU athletics director Scott Stricklin announced the hiring of the highly-respected Howland as the 20th head basketball coach in school history.
Howland, 57, comes to MSU with an overall coaching record of 401-206 with stints at Northern Arizona (1995-99), Pittsburgh (2000-03) and UCLA (2004-13).
“We have a coach who is a proven winner that’s taken three schools to the NCAA Tournament,” Stricklin said. “Ben is someone who is ready to invest in the people of Mississippi and Bulldogs everywhere, while bringing championship basketball back to the Hump. Mississippi State basketball can compete at the highest level, just as several of our other teams have done in recent years, and I’m excited to have coach Howland lead us back to that level.”
In 10 seasons at powerhouse UCLA, Howland led the Bruins to the NCAA Tournament seven times, highlighted by three-consecutive Final Four appearances (2006-08) in addition to four Pac-10 regular-season crowns (2006, 07, 08 and 13). He was the Bruins’ first coach since the late John Wooden to win three-straight conference titles (2006-08), and is the only head coach other than the legendary Wooden to have led UCLA to three consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances.
“I’m just so humble and grateful to be the new basketball coach at Mississippi State University,” Howland said. “I’m elated and excited for the opportunity build a consistent winner here at State. I know we have some of the greatest fans in the country and I look forward to making them proud of our team and our efforts. Hail State.”
In 2005-06, Howland’s UCLA team advanced to the championship game -- its first since winning the 1995 NCAA title -- where it lost to Florida. The Bruins recorded 32 victories that season, tying the then-school record of 32 wins set in 1995.
During his illustrious tenure in Los Angeles, Howland compiled a 233-107 record (.682 winning percentage), including a 121-59 mark in conference play. In his last nine years, the Bruins finished in the top three of the conference standings an impressive seven times.
In his 19-year career as a head coach, Howland has led his teams to the NCAA Tournament 10 times and to the “Sweet 16” five times, in addition to the three Final Fours at UCLA. He has been a Conference Coach of the Year in three different leagues – 2006, Pac-10 Coach of the Year at UCLA; 2002, Big East Coach of the Year at Pittsburgh; 1997, Big Sky Coach of the Year at Northern Arizona.
“I am impressed with Coach Howland’s resume,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “He has been successful at the highest levels of college basketball, and I have every confidence he will bring that same proven, winning formula to Mississippi State as well. I know the MSU family will embrace Coach Howland and his family and will fully support his efforts to put our Bulldog basketball team in position to compete for championships.”
Howland earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Weber State (1979) and a master’s degree in administration and physical education from Gonzaga (1981).
Howland and his wife, Kim, a former Weber State cheerleader, have two children -- Meredith and Adam -- and one grandson, Benjamin Clark Howland II, the son of Adam and his wife, Brittney.
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For additional information about Mississippi State athletics, please see HailState.com.
