Since starting in 2007, Coach Howard has racked up 10 20-win seasons. Under his guidance, the Wildcats have captured two Penn State University Athletic Conference Championships (2008 & 2009) -- he was named the PSUAC Coach of the Year -- in both those years and one North Eastern Athletic Conference title (2015). In addition, the team also made its first appearance at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in 2009.
In 2015, Howard guided the Wildcats to the school's first NEAC title in Penn College's inaugural year in the conference. The team had three players named All-NEAC and one named USCAA All-America.
The Wildcats returned to the NEAC finals in 2017 and 2018, earning a second-place finishes is both seasons. In 2019, 2021, and 2022 Penn College reached the NEAC postseason for the fifth-straight seasons.
In 2023, Howard guided the Wildcats to their fourth conference championship final since 2015 and finished as United East runner-up and was named the conference's Coach of the Year.
In 2012, Howard led the squad to one of its strongest seasons posting a 23-14 record and earning berths to the PSUAC playoffs and USCAA National Tournament in Springfield, Ill. The following year, the team finished second at the PSUAC tournament and in the top six of the USCAA Small College World Series. They captured 24 wins, a program record.
In 2010, Howard played a bench coach in the Japanese movie Baseball Dreams which was filmed in Williamsport.
Prior to Penn College, Howard was a member of the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball Club. As a catcher, he played for the team from 1991-95. He ended his major league career with the Boston Red Sox in 1998.
A native of San Diego, California, Howard attended the University of Oklahoma from 1984-1987 where he lettered in baseball and football. He was a member of the 1985 national championship football team. He transferred to the University of Louisiana – Lafayette where he played one season before being drafted in the 1988 MLB Draft.
Howard resides in West Milton with his wife Vonnie and their five children.
Chris Howard's Record Season-by-Season
| Year |
Wins |
Loses |
Notables |
| 2025 |
18 |
18 |
United East Playoffs |
| 2024 |
17 |
21 |
|
| 2023 |
22 |
20 |
United East Runner-Up |
| 2022 |
21 |
18 |
United East Playoffs |
| 2021 |
10 |
13 |
NEAC Playoffs |
| 2020 |
5 |
5 |
Season canceled due to coronavirus |
| 2019 |
14 |
22 |
NEAC Playoffs |
| 2018 |
20 |
15 |
NEAC Runner-Up |
| 2017 |
25 |
13 |
NEAC Runner-Up |
| 2016 |
13 |
23 |
|
| 2015 |
18 |
18 |
NEAC Champions |
| 2014 |
24 |
11 |
|
| 2013 |
24 |
17 |
PSUAC runner-up |
| 2012 |
23 |
14 |
|
| 2011 |
22 |
11 |
|
| 2010 |
22 |
11 |
|
| 2009 |
20 |
3 |
PSUAC Champions |
| 2008 |
31 |
13 |
PSUAC Champions |
| 2007 |
22 |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Totals |
371 |
277 |
|
Meet the Coaches: Angie Stackhouse (Softball) and Chris Howard (Baseball) from Penn College on Vimeo.
