WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following its highest win total in more than a decade, the Howard football team was brimming with optimism entering spring practice. Former Bison wide receiver Gary Harrell, who had returned to his alma mater two years earlier, directed an upswing in which the Bison contended for a MEAC championship last season and had designs on another push in 2013.Then shortly before the team was to begin practice in April, Harrell announced he would be taking a one-year leave of absence for personal reasons. The revelation initially left players stunned and saddened, but following time to process the news, they emerged energized for training camp thanks in part to upperclassmen who preached elevated individual responsibility.
“Coach Flea, he’s been a big help to this program,” senior safety Julien David said, referring to Harrell’s nickname. “There’s definitely no replacing a guy like that. As men, we know we’ve just got to learn to be strong and be able play no matter what the situation is. We’ve got to be able to adjust even if we had gotten a brand new coach we’ve never even seen before.”
The transition, players said, has been as smooth as could be expected because Howard officials did not need to look outside of their campus for Harrell’s temporary replacement. They instead promoted defensive coordinator Rayford Petty to interim coach.
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