A.J. Howard Returns Home as App State Assistant Coach

BOONE, N.C. — Former App State and NFL standout A.J. Howard is returning home to be a defensive assistant coach with the Mountaineers, head coach Shawn Clark announced Friday.

After a standout career in Boone as a three-year starting safety, Howard won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2018-19 New England Patriots. He has since served as a graduate assistant coach at Louisville and an area scout for the Patriots.

"We're excited to welcome A.J., his wife, Sammie, and their son, Duke, back to Boone," Clark said. "A.J. brings tremendous experience as a former player in our program and a Super Bowl champion. He has earned the opportunity to be a full-time coach as a great leader, a teacher of…