By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
Thirty minutes down I-64, depending on traffic, Christopher Newport University has one of the most successful athletic programs of Division III's 425 members. It also has five head coaches who have been on the job at least 20 years, and another four who have been there 13 years or more.
Jonathan Howard, CNU Class of '14, had just completed his 12th season with the Captains' golf program — his third as head coach after five years as an assistant and four as a player. He wasn't looking for a change. Instead, one came looking for him.
And it was time to answer.
"I think what it came down to was that I had never really gotten out of my comfort zone," said Howard, who was announced as head coach of the William & Mary women's golf team this spring. "At CNU, I knew them and I was comfortable.
"I had never pushed myself career wise. I thoroughly enjoyed it there and I had succeeded, but you've got to take a chance somewhere to grow professionally and emotionally."
For Howard, 33, this will be his third head coaching job. His first came at Lynchburg College (now the University of Lynchburg) as the men's golf coach from 2015-17. He simultaneously served as sports information director during his second season.
Howard returned to his alma mater in the fall of 2017 as an assistant for the men's and women's teams. He arrived just as CNU was starting a women's golf program, which became Howard's primary responsibility. He was named head coach prior to the 2022-23 season.
Leaving his alma mater, where he had spent 12 of his 14 adult years, wasn't easy.
"Literally two weeks before coming here, I'm having conversations with the CNU ladies about next year and what we're going to do," Howard said. "I've lived in Williamsburg since I had the CNU job and it would be dumb to not at least apply.
"I got a lot further than I anticipated. It was a great process getting to know Paul (Cox, associate athletics director for compliance and administration) and Brian (Mann, director of athletics) and everyone on the staff that supports the program."
Howard was born in Los Angeles where his father, Timothy, was stationed in the Air Force. From there, the family lived in Northern Virginia, England, Northern Virginia again, Colorado Springs, and Northern Virginia once again where his father would retire.
"We bought our house in September of 2020," said Howard, referring to himself and his wife, Catherine. "September of last year marked the first time I've lived in the same house for more than three years."
Howard played golf growing up, but not competitively until starting Briar Woods High in Loudoun County. He was hoping to play on the college level, but he wasn't recruited. He enrolled at CNU in 2010 and tried out.
Howard made the team and, after missing his first tournament, qualified for the Jekyll Island Intercollegiate in Georgia. His freshman season was highlighted by a fifth-place finish in the conference championship at 3-over and a spot in the NCAA Championships, where CNU tied for 11th.
Howard graduated with a career scoring average of 76.47, sixth on the career list at the time.
"I think I'm slowly getting pushed out of the top 10 now," said Howard, who is now ninth.
Howard and Catherine have a 2-year-old son named Jack. They also have a dog named Ryder, as in Cup. "That was my wife's idea," Howard said.
They've lived in Williamsburg since 2018, so they already know where the grocery stores and best restaurants are. The people he's now working with are new, but they're making him and his family feel welcome.
Shortly after Howard was hired, field hockey coach Tess Ellis came over from her office across the hall with a welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift she had found at Goodwill. It was a wooden plaque that reads "St. Andrews British Ladies Open 1929" and features a working clock.
"That was super nice of them," Howard said.
The Tribe women's team returns seven players from last season's roster including Jennifer Osborne (78.17 average last season), Avery Thompson (78.20) and Samantha Skinner (80.00). Much of the preseason will be getting on the same page.
"I know there's going to be growing pains with a new coach," Howard said. "There's a new dynamic, but I think by communicating with them right off the bat that I'm going to do everything in my power to set them up for success on and off the course."
