There can be a number of reasons that someone decides to become a coach. For some, it can be their love of the game and the desire to stay involved in the sport. But for others, like Andy Howington, it was to have an impact on the next generation of athletes.
“I got into coaching because I knew I could help influence kids’ lives for the better,” he stated. “My best friend Brian Martin was teaching at Star Spencer and called me up one day to see if I could come out and help. That is where I first saw that kids needed direction and someone to believe in them. And now, 25 years later, I love what I do.”

Howington is the head wrestling coach at Marlow High School, where he has been for nine years. Along with wrestling, he also coaches junior high wrestling, junior high girls golf, and he is an assistant coach for the junior high football team.

Becoming the coach that he is today is the result of a lot of hard work from Howington. But he says that he has also had coaches in his life that were impactful to him.

“The biggest influences in my life were my high school coaches, Jim Morkel and Tom Brack, and my college coaches, Bob Christensenand David James,” he stated. “Since coming to Marlow from Deer Creek  the Outlaws have been in the dual state finals seven years, winning two of those in 2021 and 2022, also winning the regular state titles.”

The trophies and the hardware are great, but Howington says that there are parts of being a coach that are also rewarding.

“I love helping kids reach their goals,” he said. “That is really the highlight of coaching for me, just to watch my kids reach their goals. And along the way, winning state championships for themselves and for our town.”