Mark Howard Hometown: Dallas, Texas Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: Arizona, '97

At the conclusion of the 007-08 season, Mark "Howie" Howard finished his second season as an assistant swimming coach for the swimming and diving Falcons. As assistant to head coach Keri Buff, Howard is responsible for the recruitment of new student-athletes, coordinating team travel arrangements, and following the academic progress of all swimmers and divers. In addition, he organizes and manages the summer swim camp for the Falcons. Related directly to swimming, he coaches the distance swimmers and breaststrokers.

During the 2007-08 season, each of his swimmers set a new personal best in at least one distance or breaststroke event. Breaststroker, Christina Vaca set a new personal best in the 100 placing her sixth all-time in the event. Teammate Meg Richardson swam to a 20th place finish in the 100 breaststroke at the OSU Invitational. Freshman distance swimmer, Chelsea Kazmierski set two new personal bests at the 2008 MAC Championships in the 500 and 1650 free leading to a 20th place finish in the latter event.

Howard, a Dallas, Texas native joined the Falcons in the 2006 season after working at De Anza Cupertino Aquatics in California. In addition, he has been mentored by both "BBQ" Bill Thompson, and Gordy Smith, both men were swimmers under coaching great George Haines. Prior to working at DACA, Howard refined his coaching skills in Australia and has worked with more than 500 athletes since 1997, ranging in age from 5-65.

A 1997 graduate of the University of Arizona, Howard was a PAC-10 finalist for the Wildcats swimming program. His coaching career began with City of Plano Swimmers (COPS) and has spent time with Olympic Coaches Frank Bush, Rick DeMont, Eddie Reese, Kris Kubik, and Pierre LaFontaine.

As a high school athlete, Howard was a National High School Champion and Texas State Record holder in the 200 IM, and the 200 and 400 medley relays. He was also a Senior National Qualifier and National Age Group Champion while attending Plano Senior High.

He is the son of Ann and Larry Howard and has one sister, Heather Kruthers. His extended family includes a brother-in-law, Mark, and two nieces, Kendall (6) and Avery (3).