Lee Howarth is set to begin his third year as head coach of the Southwestern soccer program. In 2024, he guided the Moundbuilders through the most successful season in program history for points, raising the standard for excellence within the team and laying a strong foundation for the future.
Before his coaching career, Howarth played for several academy teams in England, including Reading FC, Watford FC, and Milton Keynes Dons, before moving to the United States to pursue a degree and play college soccer.
Howarth attended Thomas University in Thomasville, Georgia, from 2015 to 2019. During his four years there, he led the NightHawks to a consistent top-25 national ranking, secured a regular season conference championship, and guided the team to its first-ever appearance in the National Tournament round of 16. As a goalkeeper, he earned two all-conference honors and received multiple defensive player of the week awards during his sophomore and junior seasons.
Howarth began his coaching career in England while pursuing his UEFA C coaching license. He continued to develop his coaching skills at Thomas University, where he served as an assistant coach for Brookwood High School. Under his guidance, the Brookwood coaching staff was recognized as the region’s coaching staff of the year.
After graduating from Thomas University, Howarth became a graduate assistant for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Southwestern. In his two years in this role, the women’s team earned two all-conference goalkeeping awards, while the men’s team secured one.
Now entering his third season as head coach, Howarth looks to build upon the program’s record-setting 2024 campaign. He remains committed to leading the Moundbuilders to success on the field while continuing to develop student-athletes who will represent the school and community.
