College Sports
Elisabeth Crandall-Howell, Justin Howell hired as Clemson gymnastics coaches
Clemson AD Graham Neff talks about Clemson Ventures and NIL Clemson AD Graham Neff talks about Clemson Ventures and NIL at the State of Clemson Athletics speech in the Smart Family Media Center Wednesday, August 21, 2024. This story will be updated with new information. CLEMSON — Clemson hired Elisabeth Crandall-Howell and Justin Howell as […]
Clemson AD Graham Neff talks about Clemson Ventures and NIL
Clemson AD Graham Neff talks about Clemson Ventures and NIL at the State of Clemson Athletics speech in the Smart Family Media Center Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
This story will be updated with new information.
CLEMSON — Clemson hired Elisabeth Crandall-Howell and Justin Howell as its second gymnastics coaches in program history on May 12.
Clemson University’s Board of Trustees compensation committee approved a five-year contract for the Howell’s. Both will replace Amy Smith, who was hired in April 2022 and concluded her second season as Clemson’s inaugural coach.
Smith led Clemson to two NCAA tournament appearances, including its first NCAA regional win in program history in 2025. She was fired on April 18 in a brief media release when Clemson athletic director Graham Neff announced it “parted ways” with her.
Smith was hired in April 22 despite criticism from her former players, and a November 2023 Washington Post story that detailed allegations of verbal abuse and having a toxic culture from former gymnasts at North Carolina, where she was an assistant, and Utah State, where she was a coach.
Clemson also received a Level III NCAA violation in 2024 in Smith’s tenure after she did not sign off on the team’s “squad list” prior to the team’s first competition, as required by the NCAA.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00