COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Chris Howe '99, the head coach of the Saint John's University golf program the past three seasons, announced his resignation on Monday, May 11.

He is expected to be named the hockey director for the Fargo (N.D.) Youth Hockey Association later today.

"It's been an honor and privilege to have spent these last three years back at Saint John's," Howe said. "I have been given an opportunity that I need to pursue. 

"Saint John's is and will always be a place I love and cherish. Thank you again Saint John's for everything you have done for me and my life."

A national search to replace Howe begins immediately.

"We are grateful for Chris Howe's leadership and the impact he has had on our golf program and student-athletes," SJU director of athletics Dan O'Brien said. "Chris has led with tremendous character, professionalism and care for the young men in the program, and that has been evident in the relationships he built throughout his time at Saint John's. We appreciate everything he has done for Johnnie Golf and wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

Howe was an assistant golf coach at Concordia-Moorhead for nine seasons (2011-20) and took over as head coach at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the Cobbers to a third-place finish at the 2021 (spring) MIAC Championships and a fourth-place finish that fall. 

Two Cobbers earned Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Region distinction and 13 were All-MIAC during his tenure on staff.

He also served as the men's hockey coach at Concordia from 2008-21. He totaled a 132-148-38 record (83-81-28 in MIAC play) and the Cobbers reached the MIAC Playoffs eight-straight seasons, including a second-place finish in 2020. Howe was named the 2011 MIAC Coach of the Year and the program produced three All-Americans, three MIAC Player of the Year recipients and 34 All-MIAC honorees during the 13 seasons.

At SJU, Howe led the Johnnies to a sixth-place finish at the MIAC Championships this past October following a pair of second-place finishes in 2024 and 2023. SJU placed 12th out of 43 teams at the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship and Andrew Boemer '25 qualified for nationals individually last season. 

SJU was 278-97-7 (.737) against varsity competition, including a 107-31-2 (.771) record against MIAC teams, during his tenure as head coach. 

All told, Howe coached seven All-MIAC honorees, five Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-District selections, seven Academic All-MIAC awardees and five GCAA All-America Scholars. 

The 2025-26 academic awards are scheduled to be announced this summer.