Kentucky has contacted Illinois assistant coach Jerrance Howard about its new opening. This from Illinihq.com
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Kentucky contacted Jerrance Howard in regards to an assistant coach opening on the UK staff, Howard said Friday.
UK coach John Calipari has a vacant spot on his staff after former assistant Rod Strickland was reassigned to an administrative position. An Illinois assistant who would be entering his fourth season at his alma mater, Howard confirmed by phone this is the second time Kentucky has approached him about a position on its staff. He declined further comment on the situation.
He said he returned from a Nike coaching clinic in Portland today.
It’s possible Illinois would work on a new deal for Howard, who has been instrumental in the Illini’s recruiting turnaround. Last year Illinois acknowledged Howard’s value to the program by awarding a $60,000 raise that lifted his annual salary to about $180,000. His contract was extended through 2013.
That other programs still are calling is another sign Howard’s star is rising in the recruiting world. He also has ties to Kentucky, having worked there in an administrative capacity under Billy Gillispie.
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[URL=”http://illinihq.com/blogs/basketblog/2010/05/15/jerrance_howard_says_kentucky_has”]Source[/URL]
The Assistant Coaching job posting will be open for 7 days and I am sure we will hear more coaches are contacted throughout the week. I still believe Kenny Payne will eventually get the job, but you never know what could happen in a week’s time.
Here is Coach Jerrance Howard’s bio from [URL=”http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/howard_jerrance01.html”]Fighting Illini.com[/URL]
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Jerrance Howard is in his third 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.
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 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 Howards have a 1-year-old son, Jerrance Jr.
[B]The Jerrance Howard File[/B]
Hometown: Peoria, Ill.Education: Illinois, B.S., 2004Family: Wife, Jessica; Son, Jerrance Jr.Coaching Experience: 2005-07 Texas A&M University, Administrative Assistant 2007 University of Kentucky, Basketball Operations 2008-10 University of Illinois, Assistant Coach[/QUOTE]
