University of Memphis Athletics
Mulrooney Announces Addition To Coaching Staff
Aug 10, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Norris Howze comes to Memphis from UAB where he was the director of operations the last couple of seasons
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head men's soccer coach Richard Mulrooney announces the addition of Norris Howze as an assistant coach Thursday morning. Howze spent the previous year and a half as the director of operations at UAB following his four-year playing career with the Blazers.
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"I'm thrilled for Norris to join our staff," said Mulrooney. "In speaking with him, he had aspirations to move from a good job of being the director of operations at UAB, to joining the college coaching ranks here at the University of Memphis. Along with his experience at UAB, his college and professional career is a welcomed addition to lead our student-athletes to be the best possible competitors they can be."
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As the director of operations, Howze was responsible for the organization of travel and meals, expense reports, clinics and camps along with day-to-day office operations. During his time at UAB, Howze had the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands and Italy as a player and director of operations.
While playing for UAB from 2010 to 2013 as defensive midfielder, Howze saw action in 69 games with a pair of goals scored. In 2011, he was selected to the UAB 'Soccer For A Cure' Classic All-Tournament team for his role in helping the Blazers to the championship. Howze was also the teams Most Improved Player in 2011.
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After his time playing with the Blazers, Howze continued his playing career for two summers with the Birmingham Hammers, a team in the National Premier Soccer League, in 2015 and 2016.
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Also in the time between his stints at UAB, Howze was the BUSA Academy coach in the spring of 2014, the Oak Mountain High School freshman head coach and assistant varsity coach in 2014 and 2015, and the Vestavia Academy coach in 2015 to 2017.
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A native of Hoover, Ala., Howze was a four-year varsity starter at Hoover High School coached by Kris Keplinger. Coming into college, Howze was the No. 6 player in the South by TopDrawerSoccer.com. In 2009, he was named to the North-South All-Star contest and was an all-state and all-metro selection following his senior year.
"I'm just excited to be able to be in Memphis," said Howze. "It's a great opportunity that I get to work under two coaches who have professional backgrounds. I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible because I feel the coaching staff has a lot of knowledge about the game. I am looking forward to a great year."
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