Howard graduated from Deshler High School in 1974 and went on to get a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1978. He was an outstanding high school wrestler for both Sheffield and Deshler and was a member of the first Bulldog Team coached by Bob Elkins and Wayland Blake. In 1972 he placed second in the state as a Bulldog grappler and followed that up in 1973 with a State Championship. That same year, Sheffield won the 1-A -  3-A  State Championship which was the first ever Team Championship in school history. He transferred to Deshler the following year, wrestling for Coach Tim Lull and again placed first in the State for the Tigers, making him the only wrestler to win State Championships at two different schools. Following high school, Howard received a scholarship to the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Crimson Tide Squad form 1974-1978. He now sells heavy equipment internationally