Athletic Dept Taps Howlett for Women’s Basketball Head Coach Position

Paul Smiths, NY ~ There will be a new face at the helm of the Paul Smith's College women's basketball team next season as Alphonso "Zo" Howlett has been chosen to be the team's new head coach after a national search from the PSC athletic department.

"I'd like to thank Dr. Kelting, Zack Luzzi, and the entire search committee for the opportunity, and trust, to lead the women's basketball program," said Howlett.  "I have a lot of respect for Paul Smith's College as both a player and a coach, and I am excited to be a part of Smitty Nation and the vision our leaders share for the future."

Howlett is a distinguished basketball coach whose passion for the game has driven him to have success both on and off the basketball court.  Born and raised in Manhattan, NY, Howlett's journey in basketball began fresh out of high school.  

After graduating from Heritage High School in 2003, Howlett continued his basketball journey at Corning Community College where he played for two seasons.  He later relocated to Vermont to continue his playing career at Green Mountain College, where he became a two-year starter and team captain.  During his time at Green Mountain, he showcased his talent on the court, earning recognition as a top defender and three point shooter to go along with his strong leadership ability.  Howlett's dedication to both athletics and academics was evident, as he excelled not only as a player, but also as a student-athlete, receiving prestigious honors such as "Coaches Award" as a player.

Following his collegiate career, Howlett transitioned into coaching, initially joining the coaching staff at Poultney High School (PHS) as the 7th grade boys basketball coach where he worked under the guidance of head varsity boys coach David Capman.  His tenure at PHS was marked by success, moving up the following year to the head JV boys basketball coach before eventually becoming the head varsity boys basketball coach the next season.  Howlett won four Marble Valley Class C Championships in a row as well as being named two-time Marble Valley League Coach of the Year during his four years as the head coach. 

In 2015, Howlett joined Bob Walsh's staff at The College of Saint Joseph in Rutland, Vermont as an assistant men's basketball coach.  Howlett learned under Coach Walsh for one season before becoming the head coach, a position he would hold for three years until the closing of the college.  He left an indelible mark on the program from 2016-2019 as the Fighting Saints reached the conference semifinals in his first two years as the head coach.  Howlett mentored one United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA DII) All American in Charles Isaac Jr., who ranked second in the USCAA in scoring during the 2018-2019 season.  Isaac Jr. finished his career with 2,071 points.

Howlett was an assistant at Castleton University, now known as Vermont State University at Castleton, in Castleton, VT from 2019-2023. In addition to his on court duties, Howlett served as the team academic coordinator, helping raise the team grade point average to a 3.45 and placing six Spartans on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court for the 2022-2023 season. 

In 2023, Howlett ventured to western Pennsylvania to continue his coaching journey under an Interim Head Coach Josh Clemens.  Howlett currently serves as an assistant men's basketball coach at Allegheny College under the leadership of first year head coach Pat Sullivan.  Howlett's commitment to his players' growth and development extends beyond the court as he brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a proven track record of success.  His journey from being a player to a coach is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of basketball and the relentless pursuit of excellence both on and off the court. 

Howlett inherits a very healthy women'a basketball program that has flourished under former father-daughter coaches Brad and Mercedes Rideout.  This past season, the Bobcats were ranked as high as ninth in the nation in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and had their best-ever rating in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) postseason with a three seed going into the Final Four.

"I am confident that current and future prospective student-athletes, their families, our alumni, and the campus community will be proud of the program that we continue to build on that was established before I took over.  We have high expectations and standards of excellence that we will display daily," added Howlett.

Paul Smith's College athletic director Zack Luzzi is excited about Howlett's tenure, stating that "Zo's energy and enthusiasm quickly shown through in our national search.  In the conservations we had he showed an uncanny commitment to dive right in to recruiting and hit the ground running.  The team was equally as ecstatic when they got the chance to meet him and it just seemed like such a natural fit .  We can't wait to see what he's able to do!"

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.