Howell to lead Warriors boys' tennis team this spring (Updated at 3:25 p.m.)

Cedar Rapids Washington announced Wednesday that head girls basketball coach Frank Howell will step in to be the head coach for the Warriors boys' tennis team, replacing late Dave Meyer, who unexpectedly died last Saturday.

SourceMedia Group News first reported the appointment after discovering Howell's Twitter post Wednesday morning that said "I will be coaching men's tennis this spring." Howell said he was approached by Washington Athletics Director Paul James.

"I think they wanted somebody who was going to be able to be a good coach, not necessarily in the mechanics in tennis because a lot of those guys have gotten that from local pros and things like that," Howell said in a phone interview, "but be somebody who would have an idea of the things that go with coaching to help them be successful."

Howell, who became the eighth head boys tennis coach in Warriors history, competed in tennis at William Penn, where he graduated in 1992. He is a 1988 graduate of Perry High School. James said given the circumstances it was a good move to make.

“In this extremely difficult time, Frank Howell is the  perfect fit to continue the Warrior tennis tradition,” James said in the press release listed below.

Whether the move is temporary or permanent won't be determined until a later date, according to both Howell and James.

"We haven't really even talked about that right now," said Howell, who met with the team briefly Tuesday, which was the same day as Meyer's funeral. "The biggest thing we're focused on is the kids on the team have a positive experience through the spring."

Meyer, 49, was entering his sixth season as head coach, posting a 65-19 record and leading the Warriors to two appearances at the state team tournament. He also helped senior Charlie Hammond and sophomore Mitch Blades to a runner-up finish at the 2010 state doubles competition.

The Warriors were supposed to open the season Tuesday at Waterloo West, but the meet was postponed until Thursday. Washington hosts an annual tournament April 9 at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center, and that has been named the Dave Meyer Warrior Invitational in honor of the late coach.

"I'm thrilled they asked me to do this and really we're going to want to go out there and have everybody put out their best effort because I know that the guys are wanting to dedicate this season to Dave Meyer and everything he did for our school and their program."

Howell has been the Warriros women's basketball coach for eight seasons, leading them to a 147-46 record including a 19-4 record this last season which concluded with the program's fifth state tournament appearance during his tenure. He has led seven teams overall to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state basketball tournament, guiding the Warriors to state runner-up finishes in 2005, 2006 and 2008 and Audubon to the Class 2A state title in 1999.

Below is the press release from Washington's Activities' Office:

Frank Howell - Tennis[1]

Washington High School announces the hiring of Frank Howell as its new Head Men's

Tennis Coach.

Frank fills the vacancy created by the sudden death of David Meyer last Saturday.

Howell becomes the eighth person to coach men's tennis at Washington in its 54-year history.

He follows Dave Meyer, Spencer Eells, Ron Capps, Jeff Warner, Randy Krejci, Lloyd Wilson,

and Frank Carthey.

Coach Howell is a social studies teacher at Washington and has been the Warriors' Head

Women's Basketball Coach for the last eight seasons. Coach Howell is an outstanding coach.

During his time at Washington, he has compiled a 147-46 won-loss record with the women's

program and has led his team to five state tournament appearances.

Frank Howell is a graduate of Perry High School and William Penn College. He played

tennis in the Iowa Conference during his athletic career at William Penn.

Athletic Director Paul James says, “In this extremely difficult time, Frank Howell is the

perfect fit to continue the Warrior tennis tradition.”