Men's Basketball | April 8, 2018

La Salle Men's Basketball Alum & Former NBA Player Lionel Simmons

Louisville Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Mack

Villanova Junior Point Guard & National Player of the Year Jalen Brunson

-- La Salle University today announced the appointment of Ashley Howard as the 19th head coach of the school's storied men's basketball program. Howard, who most recently served for the past five seasons as the top assistant coach to Jay Wright at Villanova University, will begin his tenure immediately. Howard will be formally introduced on Monday, April 9 at an 11 a.m. press conference in Founders' Hall on La Salle University's West Campus."As a former assistant coach here, we know firsthand that Ashley Howard is an exceptional coaching talent who has a deep understanding of both La Salle's basketball tradition and its important student-focused mission," said, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation for La Salle University. "This is a university that holds character, integrity and commitment to that mission in the highest esteem, and our men's basketball coach has the unique responsibility of reflecting that on and off the court. We have every confidence that Ash will do that – and more – in leading this program. He is a high-energy leader with a tremendous basketball pedigree as well as a strong track record of recruiting, developing and mentoring high-quality student-athletes. His experience, especially in the past five years, reflects that Ash knows how to win. We are delighted to welcome him home to La Salle University."Howard accepts this new role after five seasons as the top assistant coach to Jay Wright at Villanova University. During his tenure there, Howard was instrumental in helping the Wildcats win two NCAA National Championships and setting a new NCAA record for the most wins in a four-year span. Prior to Villanova, Howard earned a decade's worth of college coaching experience, beginning his career as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, Drexel University, in 2002. In 2004, Howard was hired as an assistant at La Salle University, under Coach John Giannini, and spent four years with the Explorers before returning to Drexel in 2008 as an assistant coach to James "Bruiser" Flint. Howard was part of a staff that led the Dragons to consecutive 20-win seasons, including a school record 29 victories in 2011-12."It's an honor and a privilege to be named the head coach at La Salle University," said Howard. "I chose to coach at La Salle early in my career because of its incredible tradition in the Big 5, its dedication to athletic excellence and its commitment to its student-athletes. To have the opportunity to return to campus and lead this storied basketball program – a program defined by greats such as Gola, Durrett, Brooks, Simmons and Butler – is one for which I'm deeply appreciative. I want to thank Athletic Directorand President Colleen Hanycz for asking me to lead one of the truly great college basketball programs in the country. I also want to thank all of my coaching mentors, Jay Wright, Chris Mack, Dr. John Giannini and Bruiser Flint, from all of whom I have learned so much about myself, as a coach, and more importantly, as a man. I am ready to seize this moment because of what I learned from each one of them."Howard is a former standout basketball star at Drexel University, graduating in 2004 with a degree in Communications. Before that he starred at Monsignor Bonner High School in Lansdowne, Delaware County where he still holds the single-game scoring record. He is married to Ariana Casanovas and has a daughter, Journey.Regarding the hire, Villanova head coach, Jay Wright, shared, "Ashley is an outstanding coach who made a great impact on our program and University in his five years with us. His passion for mentoring young men and teaching skill has been invaluable in our team's development. La Salle has made a terrific selection and all of us at Villanova are thrilled for Ashley, Ariana and Journey as they embark on this new phase of Ash's career.""Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in La Salle University's legendary basketball program," said Colleen Hanycz, President of La Salle University. "The addition of Ashley Howard to our campus is just another example of the strategic steps we're taking to move forward and reassert La Salle as a leading institution of higher education. Ash shares – and embraces – the values of the Christian Brothers as mentors who touch hearts, stimulate minds and cultivate leadership. We are thrilled to welcome him, Arianna and Journey to the La Salle family."For more information about the La Salle University Men's Basketball Program and La Salle Athletics, please visit: GoExplorers.com . For information about the University, please visit: lasalle.edu La Salle University was established in 1863 through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Brothers of the Christian Schools teaching order, which St. La Salle founded in 1680. La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values, and has consistently been recognized for providing exceptional value to students, by Money magazine (fifth on the 2016 list of "50 Colleges That Add the Most Value"), Forbes ("America's Best Value College" list), and The Economist ("Top 100 Schools in the U.S. for Value"). Globally, the Lasallian educational network includes nearly 1,000 schools and centers of education, including 61 colleges and universities, serving 960,000 students in 77 countries."The hire is well deserved. Ashley put in his dues, he's a Philly guy and he deserves a shot. I think he's going to help us a lot. We have had some tough years as of late. The alumni are excited about the new hire and looking forward to Ashley turning us around. He's been involved in Philadelphia basketball forever, he brings a work ethic and an enthusiasm that can get the players motivated. That's going to be his main focus, to get the guys motivated and heading in the right direction.""I'm very happy to hear La Salle's hiring of my good friend Ashley Howard. Ash paid his dues as an assistant coach for many years. His latest experience as part of two National Championships will serve him well. He will do great things at La Salle!""Coach Ash helped me grow as a player and as a person. His ability to teach players the game of basketball and encourage them makes him very unique. Being coached by a great person makes relationships last a lifetime."