Jerrance Howard Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 3rd Year Alma Mater: B.S., Illinois '04

Jerrance Howard is in his third season as an assistant coach at Illinois after returning to his alma mater on Sept. 19, 2007.

A native of Peoria, Ill., Howard was a four-year letterwinner for the Fighting Illini from 2001-04. During his career, Illinois compiled a record of 104-31 overall and 48-16 in the Big Ten. The Illini won three Big Ten championships, a Big Ten Tournament title and appeared in the NCAA Tournament all four years, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2001 and the Sweet 16 in both 2002 and 2004.

Howard played point guard for the Illini, backing up All-Americans Frank Williams, Dee Brown and Deron Williams. He quickly developed a reputation as the program's inspirational leader and went on to serve as tri-captain as a junior and senior. He also was a two-time winner of the Kenny Battle Award, an accolade voted upon by the players and coaches and given to an Illini who earns the respect of his teammates through hard work and effort in games and practice each day.

Howard rejoined the UI program after serving three-plus years under Billy Gillispie at Texas A&M as an administrative assistant and at Kentucky in basketball operations.

Howard earned a bachelor's degree in speech communication from the University of Illinois in 2004. He is married to the former Jessica Wordlaw, who also is an Illinois graduate. The Howards have a 1-year-old son, Jerrance Jr.

The Jerrance Howard File

Hometown:             Peoria, Ill.
Education:            Illinois, B.S., 2004
Family:               Wife, Jessica; Son, Jerrance Jr.
Coaching Experience:  2005-07 Texas A&M University, Administrative Assistant
                      2007    University of Kentucky, Basketball Operations
                      2008-10 University of Illinois, Assistant Coach