Howard Coach Resigns Amid Harassment Controversy

Amid a cloud of controversy, Howard University head football coach Ron Prince announced that he would resign his position Friday.

Prince has been the subject of an investigation into allegations of verbal abuse and bullying made by anonymous parents of players. The allegations surfaced in October, a day after Caylin Newton — the brother of NFL quarterback Cam Newton — announced that he had decided to transfer from Howard. The following month, Prince was placed on administrative leave while a university investigation was underway. 

According to the website HBCU Gameday, Howard issued a brief statement confirming the move.

“Coach Ron Prince has resigned as Head Coach of Howard’s Football program, effective immediately. The University and Coach Prince have agreed to mutually part ways. A national search for a replacement will begin immediately,” the statement read.

Prince had been on administrative leave since Nov. 6. 

Among the allegations first reported by HBCU Gameday were claims that Prince had sent injured players home without treatment, and created an “atmosphere of intimidation” that included threats of scholarship losses. One parent sent a letter detailing concerns to Howard officials, the MEAC and the NCAA in September. 

“Ron Prince has been threatening, hostile, abusive and disrespectful of the young men and coaching staff at Howard University since his arrival,” the letter, obtained by HBCU Gameday, reads in part. “The harassment, bullying, verbal, and mental abuse needs to STOP! He has demoralized, ridiculed, and threatened the players on the team since his arrival. He has removed more than 26 student athletes from the program and has threatened to do the same to the remaining athletes.”

Director of Football Operations Aaron Kelton will lead the program on an interim basis until a replacement can be found.