STARKVILLE — Of the more than 100 district patrons packed into the Greensboro Center auditorium for a school board meeting Tuesday night, nine spoke publicly in support of Starkville High School boys basketball coach Qu’Varius “‘Woodie” Howard keeping his job.
Their words and their presence seemed to have worked for the time being.
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s Board of Trustees took no action Tuesday in removing him from that position, board president Debra Prince said.
Howard, who appeared before the board in executive session, said he learned a couple of weeks ago the district was considering stripping him of his coaching duties, for which he receives a supplement to his teaching contract.
“What I’ve heard is there’s been concerns about the program,” Howard told The Dispatch. “That’s all I really know.”
Howard confirmed to The Dispatch on Wednesday he is still coaching.
The nine who spoke in support of Howard during the meeting’s public comment portion included pastors, educators and even two of his players. Comments focused on how Howard’s dedication extends beyond coaching basketball.
“If we are making decisions based on how we feel and not considering the kids, then we’re making the wrong decision,” Rev. Abdbdural Lee told the board. “If we have a person that is obligated to do more than wins or losses, why in the world would we look any further?”
Howard served as an assistant coach under Greg Carter, taking the reins after Carter stepped down in 2021. In the past three seasons, Howard has amassed a 62-22 record, leading his team to the playoffs each year. The team reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament the past two seasons and finished the 2022-23 season undefeated in their district.
“He’s a guy that has the respect of not only his players but his colleagues, and as you can see, he has the respect of the community,” Carter told the board Tuesday. “It’s my hope that this board would carefully reconsider his recommendation for termination and keep him on as the head basketball coach of Starkville High School.”
Junior David Washington told board members Howard’s influence is undeniably positive, noting the team’s average GPA is higher than the student body’s average.
“Coach Howard has taught us multiple ways to be a better person,” he said. “He also teaches you life skills (and) how to be a good man. … With that being said, Starkville High is not just a basketball team. It’s more of a family.”
Yulanda Haddix, president of the Oktibbeha Chapter of the NAACP, told The Dispatch she began gathering supporters for the meeting after learning Howard’s coaching contract may not be renewed. District officials had not given her any indication as to why that decision was being made, she said.
“He’s been doing really well, winning games, so what’s the problem?” she said. “We haven’t gotten an answer to that. If you’re able to teach, you should be able to coach.”
After the public comments, Prince thanked the speakers and announced the board would take a brief recess. The board reconvened in an executive session to hear from Howard before taking up the regular agenda.
Prince told The Dispatch the board appreciated the community’s involvement in the meeting and hope it will continue.
“I think the main thing the speakers were asking for was to be heard on the things that are important to them,” Prince said. “I can assure you … those same things are important to us. We want to give each and every child the best we all have.”
Superintendent Tony McGee echoed the same remarks, saying the district values any input from the community. However, he did not comment directly on Howard’s situation.
“A community that collaborates is always stronger,” he told The Dispatch. “Whether that collaboration is in academics, athletics, fine arts – we all want what’s best for the boys and girls in Starkville and in our school district.”
Howard told The Dispatch he was grateful for the show of support from the community, especially his players.
“It shows that I’m doing something right,” he said. “It’s not all about basketball, and if I’m able to make a positive impact in kids’ lives, that’s more than the wins and the losses on the court for me.”
Dispatch sports reporter Colin Damms contributed to this report.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
