Thomas Howard was named the 28th head football coach in the history of the program on December 22, 2025.
Howard comes to Savannah State with an extensive resume that has landed him eight different coaching jobs in seven states.
Most recently, he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Fayetteville State where he helped guide the Broncos to a 6–1 record in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. His defense ranked among the nation's best, finishing top 15 in rushing defense, top five in sacks, and top 10 in tackles for loss, while leading the CIAA in all four categories, including interceptions.
Before joining the staff Fayetteville State, Howard was the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Alabama A&M University. There he coached SWAC 2nd All-Conference players, Cortez Andrews (LB), Dorian Wesley (DL), and Delvon Gulley (DB). During the 2024 season, he also coached 2 FCS Freshman All-Americans Gulley (DB) and Arenza Davis (DL).
Prior to joining the staff at Alabama A&M, Howard served as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach at South Carolina State University. Howard had the opportunity to work under one of college football coaching greats in Oliver "Buddy" Pough. His defense finished as one of the top defenses in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), finishing first in the conference in rush defense. Howard also coached All- MEAC linebacker Aaron Smith, defensive end Patrick Godbolt, and defensive tackle Naejuan Barber.
Before joining the staff at S.C. State, Howard was an integral part of the championship run at North Carolina A&T State University from 2015-2022.
During Howard's time at N.C. A&T, he helped lead the Aggies to four HBCU Black College National Championships, four Celebration Bowl Championships, and four MEAC championships. He began his time at N.C. A&T, under Coach Rod Broadway, coaching the inside linebackers. After the promotion of defensive coordinator and secondary coach Sam Washington to head coach in 2018, Washington assigned Howard as defensive backs coach.
Going into the 2022 season, Howard moved back to coaching inside linebackers and served as North Carolina A&T’s defensive passing coordinator. Howard led the defense to the numerous Big South Conference honors, including tops in total defense, rush defense, pass defense and pass defense efficiency. Also, the Aggies ranked in the Top 20 in all categories nationally. Howard also coached Big South First Team All-Conference linebacker Tyquan King and Pre-Season All-American, Big South Second Team All-Conference linebacker Jacob Roberts.
In his first season as defensive backs coach, cornerbacks Frank “Mac” McCain III (NFL DB) and Timadre Abram earned First Team All-MEAC honors. In addition, safety Jamaal Darden was second on the team in tackles, and the Aggies ranked 12th nationally in passing yards allowed. The following season, the Aggies ranked 35th nationally in interceptions.
In his first season with North Carolina A&T, Howard coached linebacker Denzel Jones to his first postseason honor as he earned Second Team All-MEAC recognition. In addition, Jones was also named the Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP.
A native of Riverdale, Georgia and former standout defensive back at Morehouse College, Howard was a two-time team captain for the Maroon Tigers and graduated cum laude with a degree in early childhood development in 2003. Howard has one daughter, Nyla, and one son, Wade.
