Cedar Rapids Prairie Activities Director Rocky Bennett announces that Claude Howard Jr. will take over as the next Head Girls Volleyball Coach pending School Board approval. Howard takes over for Rachel Combs who recently resigned after one year as Interim Head Coach.

“We are extremely excited for Claude to lead our program,” said Bennett. “He is a proven winner and his knowledge of the game is unmatched. He will do a tremendous job fostering strong relationships with our athletes, parents and our school community.”

Howard has an impressive volleyball background.  Howard began his coaching career in 2002 at the club level with Marion High School and in 2007 joined Springville High School as an assistant coach.  Howard became the head coach at Springville in 2013 and over the 10-year stretch is just shy of 300 wins.  Howard led the Oriole volleyball program to 6 conference titles, 8 state tournament appearances, and was the Class 1A Coach of the Year in 2021. 

“I am excited and humbled to have been provided the opportunity to lead the Prairie Hawk Volleyball program,” said Howard. “I am looking forward to this new challenge and building upon the strong volleyball foundation that has been created.”