Jerrance Howard is in his second 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. "Jerrance has tremendous passion for the University of Illinois and our basketball program," Weber said. "He connects with everyone. His attitude and personality is contagious, and he has worked tirelessly to develop relationships on the recruiting trail. At the same time, he has been a great addition for our current players with the energy and intensity he brings to the gym each and every day, just as he did when he was a player here." 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, 28, 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 couple had their first child, Jerrance Jr., in October. 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
2008-09 University of Illinois, Assistant Coach
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