Del Howard is in his first year (2013) as a defensive assistant coach with the Blue Devils and will work specifically with the cornerbacks.

Howard comes to UW-Stout after two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant with the University of Memphis football program. Howard joined the Memphis staff after working the two seasons as a defensive quality control graduate assistant at the University of Missouri. He transitioned into coaching following a four-year playing career at Mizzou.

As the defensive quality control graduate assistant at Missouri, Howard was responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations of the defensive coaching staff including video breakdown, scouting, computer and video information input and providing assistance in recruiting operations.

Howard originally played cornerback at Missouri before moving to safety where he started three times for a defense which led the Big 12 Conference in total defense during league games. He was a member of a Missouri team which posted a 12-2 record and finished the season ranked fourth nationally in the final 2007 season poll. Howard recorded a career-high nine tackles in the 2008 Big 12 championship game with Oklahoma. Missouri played in bowl games each year during Howard's playing career. Howard received his bachelor’s degree from Missouri in agricultural leadership in 2010.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Howard amassed 143 tackles as a senior at South Garland High School, the year he was named second team all-state and earned all-district and all-area honors, including district defensive MVP honors.