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The Tigers' victory over TCU was their fourth success in seven post-season appearances. In all seven Clemson was the established underdog.
Howard served on the coaching staff of the Blue-Gray game in Montgomery, Ala., in 1941, 1952, 1959, and 1966; was on the East staff of the annual East-West game in San Francisco, CA, in December, 1960, and again in December, 1962; and was named coach of the South squad in Miami's 1961 and 1969 North-South game. He coached in the 1970 Hula Bowl, which was his ninth postseason all-star game. While still in active coaching Howard served as one of the rules committee members for a period of three years.
A Single Wing expert for 22 seasons including nine as a line coach, Howard changed to the T-formation and its many variations in 1953. Still another major change in the offense was installed in 1965 with the "I" and pro-type set. In his 13 seasons as head coach using the single wing, Clemson won 69, lost 47 and tied 7. In 12 years of "T" teams, the Tigers won 71, lost 47 and tied 4. While using the "I" in his last five years of coaching, Clemson recorded a 25-24-1 record.
In his 30 years of coaching Howard won 165, lost 118 and tied 12. That victory total is still among the top 40 coaches in the history of the game.
In addition to heading up the Clemson football program Howard also had a job of directing Clemson's entire athletic program, and at the same time raising all the required scholarship funds. The athletic department was always on a sound financial footing under the guidance of Howard.
The year 1958 was a red letter one for Howard. During halftime of the Spring Game, Howard, his staff and secretaries were given an appreciation day. Howard received a 1958 car while other staff members were presented gifts. That summer Howard and three members of his staff were given a trip to Europe by the Departement of Defense to conduct clinics for the Armed Forces in Germany.
Then came the football season and the Tigers presented Howard an 8-2 season, which led to the Sugar Bowl invitation. One of these 1958 wins was the 100th of Howard's coaching career. That came against the late Jim Tatum of North Carolina, a coach Howard had never beaten. And, the Tigers had to come from behind three times to win, 26-21.
Howard was named Southern Conference Coach-of-the-Year in 1948. In 1959 he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach-of-the-Year and was accorded the honor again in 1966. His teams won ACC championships six times (1956-58-59-65-66-67) in the first 15 years of the conference. The Tigers were co-champions in 1965. He guided Clemson to the Southern Conference crown in 1940 and 1948.
Howard was born at Barlow Bend, Ala. (three wagon greasin's from
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