Howard College head soccer coach Larry Scott isn’t working from final season’s disappointing end. The truth is, he’s embracing it — and resetting every little thing from the bottom up.
Coming off a 4–8 marketing campaign in 2024, together with a 1–4 mark in Mid-Jap Athletic Convention (MEAC) play, the Bison had been picked to complete fifth once more on this yr’s preseason ballot. However Scott, getting into his sixth yr on the helm, is concentrated much less on predictions and extra on tradition.
“This was a tough reset,” Scott stated Thursday throughout MEAC media day. “We powered every little thing down and rebuilt from the underside up; our requirements, accountability, and every little thing inside and outdoors of this system.”
The Bison start their 2025 season Saturday towards Florida A&M within the Orange Blossom Basic at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The historic matchup between two of essentially the most iconic HBCU manufacturers kicks off at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
A New Basis
Regardless of the “reset,” Scott is optimistic concerning the mix of veteran returners and new expertise on the roster.
“We’ve bought a gaggle of younger males who’ve been in this system, who’ve matured from 18 to 22,” he stated. “They waited their flip, and now they’re hungry to showcase who they’re.”
Scott praised the continuity in participant improvement at Howard, noting that many gamers stay dedicated via commencement — a uncommon feat within the fashionable transfer-heavy faculty soccer panorama.
The group’s id, he emphasised, is grounded in self-discipline, power, and accountability. “It’s our time,” he stated. “We had been introduced right here for a motive.”
Massive Stage, Greater Alternative
Saturday’s season opener affords extra than simply an opportunity to begin contemporary — it’s a possibility to characterize HBCU excellence on a nationwide stage. The Orange Blossom Basic, relationship again to 1933, has develop into a staple for Black faculty soccer tradition.
“To place two manufacturers like Howard and FAMU in Laborious Rock Stadium? It’s the epitome of what HBCUs stand for — excellence, tradition, historical past,” Scott stated. “It’s not nearly soccer; it’s concerning the full expertise.”
The Bison will open the yr with a demanding non-conference schedule, together with 4 video games in NFL stadiums throughout main cities like Miami, Philadelphia and New York. It’s all by design, Scott stated.
“That is about creating unforgettable moments,” he added. “Similar to youngsters at PWI applications get these experiences, we would like our student-athletes to have them at Howard, too.”
Making ready for the Unknown
Florida A&M poses a novel problem in additional methods than one. The Rattlers, identified for his or her pace and physicality, have undergone offseason modifications, together with new personnel and potential scheme shifts.
“What you see on tape might not be what you get,” Scott stated. “With the switch portal, there’s a number of new faces. That ambiguity forces you to fall again on fundamentals.”
In response, Howard has targeted on self-discipline and execution. Scott reiterated that Saturday’s recreation is “as a lot about us as it’s about them.”
Constructing a Model — On and Off the Area
The Howard workers isn’t simply shaping soccer gamers — they’re mentoring future leaders. Amid nationwide headlines and native issues in Washington, D.C., Scott harassed a constant message of composure and focus.
“Management what you’ll be able to management,” he stated. “We remind our guys to remain targeted on class, preparation, and the duty at hand.”
Scott praised Howard’s tight-knit campus neighborhood for making a protected and supportive setting in an city setting. “It’s not nearly being protected — it’s about feeling protected,” he stated.
Excessive Expectations, No Excuses
With star working again Eden James returning, Howard’s offense is anticipated to lean on his explosive playmaking means — although Scott hinted at depth throughout the roster.
“There are some names folks don’t know but,” he stated. “However they’ll emerge.”
Scott dismissed potential climate issues in Miami, a nod to his Florida roots. Whether or not it’s thunderstorms or sweltering warmth, his philosophy stays the identical: “Put the ball down. No excuses.”
Wanting Forward
The 2025 Bison enter the brand new season with grit, depth, and a chip on their shoulder — and Scott wouldn’t have it some other method.
“This group has one thing to show,” he stated. “And we’re able to go present it.”
This story was drafted utilizing an AI instrument based mostly on the transcript of the MEAC weekly coaches’ convention and was then reviewed and edited by a journalist earlier than publishing.
