Thomas Howard wasted no time setting the bar high for Savannah State football.
The newly appointed head coach openly stated that nothing short of a championship will meet his expectations in year one.
“Expectations are to win a championship in the first season,” Howard said on Thursday, underscoring a sense of urgency that leaves little room for lengthy rebuilds.
Howard comes to Savannah State with an extensive resume that includes developing some of the top defenses at the HBCU level.
Most recently, he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Fayetteville State, where he helped guide the Broncos to a 6–1 record in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association play.
His defense ranked among the nation’s best, finishing top 15 in rushing defense, top five in sacks, and top 10 in tackles for loss, while leading the CIAA in all four categories, including interceptions.
With the changing landscape of the SIAC, Howard believes the timing presents an opportunity for Savannah State to move quickly into contention after a 4-6 season in 2025.
Howard emphasized that reaching that goal will hinge on assembling the right roster and staff, describing his immediate focus as talent evaluation and acquisition.
“There’s a chance if we get the right guys in here in order to do that, and so that’s what I’m tasked with right now on the staff,” he explained, noting that work is already underway to identify and bring in players who fit his vision.
For the first-year head coach, the process is simple in theory but demanding in execution: build a staff, recruit aggressively, and move fast.
“We’ll get to work with that so that we get the right guys in here and we can move forward so we can win all those championships early,” Howard said, offering a glimpse of the ambitious standard he plans to bring to Savannah State football.
