The Water Valley Board of Trustees voted to name Michael Howland as head coach for the Water Valley Softball program on June 17th. A graduate of Coronado High School (Lubbock, TX), Coach Howland has a Bachelor’s degree from Troy University and Masters of Criminal Justice from The University of Mississippi. Coach Howland served a 25-year military career in Army/Joint Special Operations, completing his service as the Senior Military Instructor for the Ole Miss ROTC. After retiring in 2013, Coach Howland served as the Director of Veteran Services, Success Coach for General Studies and Instructor of Criminal Justice at Ole Miss. He is married to Kara Howland, and they have two adult children Nick (currently serving in the Army) and Emily (currently teaching/coaching at Water Valley High School)
Coach Howland is a NFHS Level III National Coach in Golf, Soccer, Tennis and Softball and has been coaching off/on since 1996. Coach Howland taught Law and Public Safety at Water Valley High School from 2017-2023 and coached golf, winning the 2021 Class II State Title with Girls Golf and Class II runner-up in 2022. He will be teaching Government and Economics at Water Valley High School.
"We are excited about Coach Howland's return. His holistic approach and ability to connect with student-athletes and parents will most definitely make him an asset to our athletic program," states Drew Pitcock, WVSD Superintendent.
“When I moved here in 2016, my family never had a ‘home’ because of my military service and Water Valley embraced us and made us feel welcome. While I had committed to returning to Ole Miss in 2023, my heart was still with the high school and the young people that made my time there so enjoyable. When the opportunity to return was presented to me, my wife said it was God placing me where He wanted me to be and I am excited to be back,” Howland said. “I want to thank the administration and school board for the opportunity to become the next head softball coach and I want to use this platform to help young women become solid players and feel empowered to achieve success beyond high school. I am working with my assistants to build a competitive team that will fulfill the potential of the program and leave a legacy of excellence for those that come after us. Fortune Favors the Bold.”