Howell steps downs as Zionsville boys basketball coach after six seasons

J.R. Howell announced to his team Tuesday morning that he is resigning as boys basketball coach at Zionsville.

Howell led the Eagles to a 77-62 record in six seasons with the Eagles, including a 13-11 mark last season. He came to Zionsville after three seasons as an assistant at Carmel but also has previous head coaching experience at Western Boone (two seasons from 2015-17) and Caston (two seasons from 2013-15).

Howell and his wife, Katie, have lived in Zionsville since they were married 10 years ago and have raised both sons, 6-year-old Jack and 4-year-old Tucker, since moving there.

Zionsville Eagles head coach JR Howell yells out to his team Tuesday, March 3, 2026, during an IHSAA boys basketball sectionals matchup at Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Ind.

“This has been a special place for our family,” Howell said. “We’ve been here 10 years, and I’ve coached here for six. Both boys have grown up here and my wife and I have lived here for our whole marriage. It holds a special place in our hearts. We’ve been so welcomed here since coming from Carmel. It’s been a great community for us and a wonderful place to live.”

Howell is leaving for a new opportunity, which he will be able to discuss later this week.

During his time as an assistant at Carmel, Howell helped the Greyhounds win the Class 4A state championship in 2018-19. He was a state champion as a player at Lapel in 2004-05, playing for his father, Jimmie Howell, who coached 40 seasons overall and won two state championships at Lapel before retiring in 2020 with 625 wins in his coaching career.

Jimmie Howell joined his son on the bench at Zionsville as an assistant during his tenure with the Eagles.

“If it wasn’t for (my dad), I wouldn’t be in coaching,” J.R. said when he was hired at Zionsville. “I grew up as a gym rat. I remember being around the team at Muncie Southside as a little kid and wearing the team gear and jerseys. I was the mascot at Mt. Vernon. I saw up close how my dad impacted the lives of so many players. I meet guys who played for him 30 years ago and how important he was to them. With his success, it’s hard to be in his shadow sometimes and I know it will be hard to attain his numbers. But he pushes me to want to beat him, too, even on the golf course. He’s a special person to be able to coach that long in his day and age.”