ROCKINGHAM — The upcoming seasons can be considered somewhat of a farewell tour for head coach Bennie Howard.
After what’ll be his 30th year with the Richmond Senior soccer program, Howard plans to retire from his position. There’ll be no more yelling from the sidelines or talking about team expectations following the 2017-18 school year.
“I’ve spent a lot of hours out there on that field. It’s been a big part of my life, but it’s time to move on,” Howard said. “I wouldn’t say (I’m going to) ride off into the sunset, but it’s time to change horses.”
Howard’s journey to becoming a staple in the Raider community began when he joined the boys soccer team’s coaching staff as a volunteer back in 1987, as he was unable to make every game and practice due to working third shift at the railroad.
When Steve Lear — the program’s first-ever head coach — decided to move back to Wadesboro the following year, Howard was offered the position with only a year of volunteer experience under his belt. He accepted the offer in 1988 and started year one of what turned out to be a long career on Richmond’s sidelines.
The program didn’t have a girls team or its own field on campus when Howard took over. The boys team had to share the field at Browder Park with the school band for the first six or seven years before things started to come around.
Now, more than two decades later, the Raiders have both boys and girls teams that play in the program’s own stadium, with a locker room, concession stand, gazebo and more — and Howard has been an integral part of it all.
“We have come a very long way,” he said. “That’s one thing that has made me proud.
“The other thing (that has made me proud), I’ve come in contact with anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 guys and girls,” he continued. “And to see these kids grow up, become adults, have families, have careers and be successful, that’s important.”
Being able to positively impact the young men and women he coaches every day far outweighs the wins, championships and individual accolades. And Howard has won his fair share of games, conference championships and awards during his career.
During his time at Richmond, Howard has compiled a 278-206-44 record with the boys and a 212-210-30 record with the girls — giving him a total of 490 wins, 416 losses and 74 ties in 29 seasons.
He’s also won five conference championships (three boys, two girls), earned eight conference Coach of the Year honors (five boys, three girls) and has been named Region 4 Coach of the Year twice (2014, 2016).
Howard will have an opportunity to add to those totals in the coming months — and next spring — as he gears up for his final year. The boys team won the regular-season title last season and has the reigning SEC Player of the Year, Carlos Alcocer, returning for his junior season. The girls have nine starters coming back, two being all-conference selections.
“I would love to have a repeat of what we did last year — and that’s possible, that’s very possible,” Howard said. “We’ve got to take each game on each day, bring 100 percent — and more — and play 80 minutes of soccer to attain the win.”
Once the girls’ season ends sometime next May, Howard hopes his successor will be current junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach Chris Larsen, who has been “giving great advice” for almost seven years.
“Chris is a very knowledgable, quiet-spoken soccer coach and he’s a hard worker. He can fix anything,” Howard said. “I would be a little upset if he doesn’t get the chance to run the program after I retire.”
Richmond soccer fans may see the familiar face pop up at home games in order to the run the clock and announce games next year, but Howard says he’s not looking to step on Larsen’s toes if the latter gets the opportunity.
He’d rather travel once he’s done, maybe taking flights to California, the Caribbean or Germany — where he was born. He already has an excursion planned through the school where he will chaperone a trip that’ll take the group to Capris, Florence, London, Paris, Pompeii and Rome.
Howard might’ve seen a lot during his time on the soccer field, but there’s more for him to see outside of those lines.
“I’m a Raider through and through…but I’ve worked my entire life. I want to be able to enjoy retirement,” he said.
Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.
Richmond Senior soccer head coach Bennie Howard talks to the boys varsity group following a summer workout in late July. This will be Howard’s final season as the program’s coach, as he plans to retire after the girls wrap up their season sometime next May.