Overview: A legacy written in championships
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald reflects on the historic career of Scott Howell as he officially steps down as head coach of both football and basketball at St. Paul Central.
Credit: Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald/MSR
For the first time since 2000, Scott Howell will not be on the sidelines when St. Paul Central opens its football season this week, nor will he be present when the basketball team takes the court for the 2026-27 season.
Howell, who retired as head boys basketball coach after the 2024-25 season, repeated the act as head football coach after 2025, bringing a close to one of the state’s most celebrated careers.
Before becoming one of the metro area’s top coaches in two varsity sports, Howell had an outstanding prep career.
The 1984 St. Paul Central graduate starred in football and baseball, earning All-Conference honors in both.
From there, he attended St. Cloud State University on a football scholarship from 1984-88.
After coaching both sports at the junior varsity level, Howell found himself coaching those same sports at the varsity level at his alma mater.
Football (2000-2026)
Howell took over as head coach following his high school coach and Hall of Famer Floyd Smaller.
What followed was a very successful run.
He led the Minutemen to seven St. Paul City Conference championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Howell coached the remainder of his tenure after the City Conference was disbanded in 2014.
Basketball (2000-2025)
Though Howell didn’t play basketball at the varsity level, he experienced quite a bit of success on the court.
He did play and coach for former St. Paul Highland Park Hall of Famer Charles Portis while at St. Paul Ramsey Junior High.
Whatever his experience, it led to success.
Under his leadership, the Minutemen won or shared nine City Conference championships in 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025.
They made a Class 3A state tournament appearance in 2014 after upsetting top-ranked St. Paul Johnson in the section championship.
Not many get the chance to give back to their alma mater as Howell has. He had a nice career.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.