BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State announced it has hired former SUNY Canton head coach Mark Howlett as its head men's soccer coach.  Howlett, a native of Portsmouth, England and a three-time collegiate soccer All-American, will begin his tenure at Buffalo State on Wednesday.

Howlett spent the past three seasons as the head coach at SUNY Canton, leading a program in transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III.  He mentored the Kangaroos to 26 victories in three seasons and successfully recruited 24 new players in his first year on the job. 

“Mark is an established recruiter and has great knowledge and a passion for the sport of soccer,” said Buffalo State Athletics Director Jerry Boyes.  “I look forward to watching him transform our men's soccer program into a consistent contender in the State University of New York Athletic Conference.”

“My family and I are delighted to be joining the Buffalo State family,” said Howlett.  “I'd like to thank Jerry Boyes and the members of the search committee for giving me this exciting professional and personal opportunity. I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Buffalo State men's soccer program forward. This is a program that is poised to take the next step on to the national level and I will work hard every day to make that happen.

Prior to working at Canton, Howlett served three seasons as an assistant coach at Nazareth College and was the Director of Coaching for Doug Miller Soccer in Rochester. He also served as the head coach of the Rochester Ravens FC, a professional women's team in the USL W-League, and coached the New York State West Olympic Development Program girls' team from 2009-2011.

Howlett was a Youth Trainee at AFC Bournemouth in the English second division, where he was named player of the year in 2004. Howlett played two seasons at Roberts Wesleyan and two years at Judson University (Ill.) and was an NAIA All-American at both institutions. He helped lead Judson to two Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, two Region VII championships and two berths in the NAIA national tournament.

Howlett has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Judson and is pursuing a master's in educational leadership at St. Lawrence.  He also holds a USSF "B" license from the U.S. Soccer Federation, as well as an "Advanced National" diploma through the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.