CHAMPION — Terry Howell was named football coach at Champion High School Thursday by the Champion Board of Education.

He replaces John Gibson who resigned from the position.

“I live in Champion, so it is a great opportunity to be a coach where you live,” said Howell. “ I am excited about this job and want to meet with the kids as soon as possible and get a winter weight program started.

“We’ll also have a spring and summer off-season programs.”

The Golden Flashes posted a 2008 record of 3-7 and they were 6-4 in 2007.

Howell said 26 players (sophomores and juniors), will be returning at Champion for the 2009 season, along with freshmen.

“We are going to take a look at the kids and see if we can use a spread or power offense or both,” said Howell. “We’ll try to field an aggressive, competitive team that can compete in the AAC Blue Division and work towards earning a future playoff berth.

“I am in the process of developing a staff, with possibly keeping some of Champion’s previous coaches,” said Howell.

Howell played high school football as a guard-defensive tackle at Niles, while at Indiana University of Pennsylvania he played varsity as a nose guard.

He’ll continue to teach Health and Physical Education at Niles Middle School.

He has been an assistant at Niles and LaBrae, serving under Bill Bohren.