Norris Howze was elevated to head men’s soccer coach July 1, 2022 after serving as the head coach in an interim role since February 25, 2022 and takes over the Chicago State men’s soccer program in advance of the Cougars joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC) beginning with the 2022-23 academic year. 

Howze comes to Chicago State after a stint as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis, where he was hired in 2017.

With Howze on staff, the Tigers reached new heights in 2019, as they won 10 matches for the first time since 2011. In addition, five players earned selections to all-conference teams.

Before joining Memphis, served as the director of operations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

As the director of operations at UAB, Howze was responsible for the organization of travel and meals for the Blazers along with day-to-day office operations. While at UAB, Howze also had the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands and Italy, both as as a player and director of operations.

While playing for UAB from 2010-13 as defensive midfielder, Howze appeared in 69 games. In 2011, he was selected to the UAB ‘Soccer For A Cure’ Classic All-Tournament team for his role in helping the Blazers to the championship. Howze was also the team's Most Improved Player in 2011.

After his UAB run, Howze continued his playing career for two summers with the Birmingham Hammers, a team in the National Premier Soccer League, in 2015 and 2016.

He also served as the BUSA Academy coach in the spring of 2014, the Oak Mountain High School freshman head coach and assistant varsity coach in 2014 and 2015, and the Vestavia Academy coach in 2015 to 2017.

A native of Hoover, Ala., Howze was a four-year varsity starter at Hoover High School coached by Kris Keplinger. Coming into college, Howze was the No. 6 player in the South by TopDrawerSoccer.com. In 2009, he was named to the North-South All-Star contest and was an all-state and all-metro selection following his senior year.