MARSHALL, Texas  – Former Lady Tigers assistant Dustin Howard has been named the new head coach for women's basketball at East Texas Baptist University.

Howard, who was an assistant coach at ETBU from 2004-07 and was an integral part of recruiting classes that led to a 22-5 record and ASC East Division title in 2007, has been the head coach at Plainview High School in Glenmora, La., the last four years.

"We are excited to have Coach Howard returning to the ETBU family,” said ETBU Athletic Director Kent Reeves. "He was an asset to our women’s basketball success when he was here as an assistant coach and he has been very successful at every level he has coached.”

Since leaving ETBU following the 2006-07 season, which saw the Tigers advance to the semifinal round of the ASC Tournament, Howard has served as athletic director/head girls basketball coach at Plainview over the last four seasons. Under Howard’s direction the Lady Hornets have gone 110-44 with four district championships, three state tournament appearances, one state championship and another state runnerup.

Last season, Plainview finished 30-8 and was a state semifinalist. Howard was named the state Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three years as well.

Prior to coaching at Plainview, Howard was head coach at Hackberry High School in Hackberry, La., in 2007-08.

"I feel blessed to be able to return to ETBU as head women’s basketball coach,” said Howard. "ETBU is such a great situation for athletics. The faculty, staff and administration are so supportive. The campus and facilities are among the best in the conference and the academic reputation speaks for itself.”

Howard coached at ETBU from 2004-07, where he helped coordinate recruiting, travel arrangements, preseason conditioning, practices, games and other administrative duties. Prior to taking the assistant coach job at ETBU, he was a high school assistant coach at Fairview High in Grant, La., and also was junior high boys basketball coach.

Howard earned his Bachelor of Science in Education in December, 2002, from Louisiana State University. He earned a Master of Science in Sports Science in 2008 from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala.

"I plan to bring energy, passion and discipline to an already highly-respected program,” Howard said. "I expect excellence from this program and we will work hard to become a perennial contender in the ASC.”

Howard, the ninth head coach in the history of the program, takes over an ETBU program that has made just one playoff appearance since winning the 2006-07 ASC East championship. The Tigers finished 6-19 last season.

Howard said his first goal is to reacquaint himself with the program, get to know the returning players and get on the fast track to recruiting.

"I am ready to hit the ground running and finish strong in recruiting,” he said. "I also want to meet with and get to know the returning players. This is a great opportunity for me and I plan on doing things the only way I know how, the right way and with hard work.”

Howard and his wife, Kelli, were married in 2010.

-Courtesy East Texas Baptist University Sports Information Department