The Villanova Wildcats have hired Philadelphia native Ashley Howard as an assistant coach, it was announced today. Howard, a 2004 graduate of Drexel University, most recently served in a similar capacity at Xavier University after stints on the staffs at La Salle and Drexel.

Howard brings 10 years of college basketball coaching experience with him to Villanova. He began his coaching career in 2002-03 as a student assistant to James `Bruiser’ Flint at Drexel University after an injury ended his playing college playing career there. Upon his graduation from Drexel, Howard was hired in 2004 by head coach John Giannini as an assistant coach at La Salle University.

After spending four seasons on the Explorers staff, Howard returned to Drexel as an assistant coach to Flint in 2008. He was part of a staff that led the Dragons to consecutive 20 win seasons, including a school record 29 wins in 2011-12. In May 2012 he departed Drexel to join the staff at Xavier University and spent one season with the Musketeers.

Howard is the son of Maurice Howard and Diane Coleman. Maurice Howard played college basketball at the University of Maryland and was a second round draft choice of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.