EASLEY — Just three weeks after Easley High School football coach Chad Smith resigned to take the same position at Clover, the Green Wave already have their new man.

The school hosted a press conference Tuesday evening announcing Grayson Howell as its new head football coach.
Howell, who began his coaching career at nearby Daniel High School under coach Allen Sitterle in 1994, has most recently been on staff at Sumter High School since 2000. At Sumter, his alma mater, Howell was assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, a position he has held since 2003. He also coached at Strom Thurmond High School from 1995-2000.

“I’ve been really impressed with his track record and his ability to relate to students,” Easley athletic director Chris Carter said. “He has also shown himself to be a person of very high character and a tremendous classroom teacher.

“We’re excited about the future and continuing the momentum our program has had from previous seasons.”

Howell holds a B.S. in Management from Clemson University and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy. Howell will be a social studies teacher at Easley High.

He and his wife Theresa have been married for 18 years and have three sons — Caleb, 15, Blake, 13, and Luke, 1.

“In his interview, Coach Howell stressed that one of his main objectives is to make upstanding young men out of his players,” EHS principal Tim Mullis said. “He wants to make sure that his players understand and exhibit character that will make them successful in life. He wants to involve the community in being mentors for our players.

“We are grateful that Coach Howell will stress success not only on the field but also success beyond the classroom.”