Todd Howard brings more than three decades of high-level coaching experience and a proven track record of program building, player development, and culture leadership to his role as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Indiana University Columbus.  Entering his 32nd season of coaching in Indiana, Howard is excited to hit the ground running in building another winner.

Widely respected across the Indiana basketball landscape and beyond, Howard has impacted the game at every level—spanning Division I, NAIA, high school, and elite youth development. His career has been defined by building winning programs, developing high-character student-athletes, and establishing sustainable systems that translate to long-term success on and off the court.

Howard arrives at IU Columbus following his tenure at Marian University for two seasons (2024-26), where he served as Associate Head Coach and Interim Head Coach. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of the program’s daily operations, including recruiting, player development, scheduling, academics, fundraising development and compliance. His leadership helped elevate multiple players to Division I opportunities while fostering strong academic performance and competitive success.  Three players earned All-Conference recognition in the well respected Crossroads League, and helped in capturing five Top 25 wins.

Prior to Marian, Howard built one of Indiana’s premier high school programs during his eight seasons as head coach at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (2014-2022).  He compiled a 124–68 record, becoming the second-winningest coach in program history while leading the team to eight consecutive winning seasons. As the All-Time wins leader in the Circle City Conference, his teams captured four conference championships, three sectional titles, and earned a No. 1 state ranking in 2022 while routinely playing one of the state's toughest schedules.  Known for his defensive identity, Howard’s teams consistently held opponents below their scoring averages and established a reputation as one of the state’s most disciplined and competitive programs.  Twenty players went on to play at the collegiate level, with Division I stops such as Maryland, Miami OH, Bellarmine, Chattanooga, FAMU and Air Force.

Howard also made a lasting impact at the grassroots and developmental levels, serving as Director of Basketball at Carmel High School and co-founding the Carmel Basketball Academy. There, he developed a comprehensive player development pipeline focused on fundamentals, competitiveness, and long-term growth—producing future Indiana All-Stars, collegiate players, and high-level prospects, all centered in the Carmel community.  Howard also continues to assist with IBCA duties throughout the year, in hosting the annual IndyStar All-Star Gameday Shootout.

The foundation of Howard’s coaching career was built during a 19-year tenure at IUPUI (1995-2014), where he served as head coach, associate head coach, and assistant coach. He played a key role in guiding the program’s transition from NAIA to Division I, helping compile an overall 350–294 record and averaging approximately 18 wins per season. As head coach, he earned marquee victories over programs such as Bradley, Ball State, IPFW, Oakland Western Kentucky, Bowling Green and Valparaiso among others, and his teams were nationally recognized for their offensive efficiency, including leading the nation in three-point shooting.  While at IUPUI, his recruiting prowess help earn an NCAA Tournament berth in 2003 (their 3rd year of Division I membership).  Such prowess helped land George Hill, while player development success helped propel Hill as a 1st Round Pick in the 2008 NBA Draft (San Antonio Spurs).  Hill went on to a fifteen NBA career.  Twenty-two players went on to professional careers, and twenty-six players earned All-Conference selections in his overall tenure.  In 2009, Howard was named as one of the Top Five Assistants at the Division I level (HoopScoop).  As a Division I coach, he was selected to serve as Head Coach for Athletes in Action Tour (China Tour, 2008), USA Basketball and FIBA in hosting 2002 World Games and Pete Newell's Big Man Camp Instructor with the world's best collegiate and professional post players (Hawaii).  During his time at IUPUI, Howard was able to learn from the greats all over the world as his teams competed in Mexico, China, Canada, Peru, Costa Rica and Italy.  IUPUI played in five Conference Tournament Championships in the program's first ten seasons at the Division I level.  Recruiting the "I-65 Corridor", helped Howard land 7 Indiana and Kentucky All-Stars. 

The coaching profession is a true prized passion of Coach Howard's journey, as he's helped nine former assistants move on to Head Coaching positions, ranging from Division I, NAIA, Division III and IHSAA.  Fourteen former players have ascended to Head Coaching positions ranging from WNBA, Division I and High School.  Three current IHSAA Head Coaches have captured state titles (Ryan Osborn/Carmel, Don Carlisle/Ben Davis and Stephen Thomas / Lawrence North Girls).  Dozens of former staffers and players are currently working in the world of basketball at literally every level -- NBA, G-League, NCAA, and High School.

The coaching profession pride is easy to see, as Howard has learned from the coaching trees of John Wooden (via Denny Crum), Bob Knight (via Pat Knight) and Rick Pitino/Hubie Brown (via Herb Sendek/Ron Hunter).  This reflects a foundation rooted in excellence, discipline and teaching.  The Howards are certainly a basketball family as his father played on Coach Crum's first 2 Final Four teams at Louisville, and brother Nathan, played at Murray State.  Two additional brothers served as mangers at (Aaron) Kentucky for Tubby Smith and (Anderson) at Louisville for Denny Crum/Rick Pitino.  Currently, his father Terry, is on staff at North Oldham High School (Ky).

Howard won a 1988 Kentucky High School State Championship at legendary Louisville Ballard High School, where he played for Scott Davenport (former head coach at Bellarmine University).  During his four years, he teamed with eleven future Division I players and NBA All-Star, Allan Houston.  Howard was then fortunate to play and work for Hall-of-Fame Coach Denny Crum at the University of Louisville (1989-94), where the culture was known for playing for the best, with the best and against the best.  Howard is in select company in being a High School state champion while later playing and coaching in an NCAA Tournament.

Coach Howard and his wife, Patti have two children.  Adam is currently the Director of Basketball Operations / Recruiting, at Western Michigan University.  Katie is an Associate Consultant at Modern Executive Solutions, who also serves on the coaching staff at Fishers High School.

At IU Columbus, Howard brings a clear vision: to build a championship-caliber program grounded in player development, accountability, and community impact. His leadership philosophy centers on developing complete student-athletes—on the court, in the classroom, and in life.