University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Gary Howard spent 35 years at UCO, serving as defensive coordinator from 1968-76 before taking over as head coach in 1977 and filling that role until 2002. 

The Bronchos enjoyed remarkable success during that 26-year span, with Howard winning more games than any state college football coach in finishing with a 162-105-6 record. He led UCO to 13 seasons with at least seven wins and coached 58 All-Americans during his career. 

Howard coached seven of UCO’s nine playoff teams, leading the Bronchos to the NAIA post-season tournament in 1979,’82,’83 and ’85 and to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1996, ’98 and ’99.  He was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1982 after guiding UCO to the national championship, with the Bronchos finishing as national runners-up in 1979. 

Gary also took UCO to its first Lone Star Conference crown in 1998, with Bronchos winning the title again in 1999.