Harrell returns to Howard football program

Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Howard head football coach Gary Harrell has returned to the Bison program after taking a personal leave of absence for the 2013 season.

Associate head coach and defensive coordinator Rayford Petty served as interim head coach this season while Howard went 6-6 overall and 4-4 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games.

Harrell, 41, took the leave of absence in March and said he would return for the 2014 season.

Known as "Flea" at Howard, his alma mater, Harrell took over a team that won four games over the 2008-10 seasons and went a combined 12-10 in 2011-12. In his second season, the Bison went 7-4 for their highest win total in a decade and they finished second in the MEAC with a 6-2 conference record.