Bio

Alphonso "Zo" 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. 

 

Coach Howlett is seen here with his secondary duties of draft horse driving (Mercedes Rideout photo).