Former Audubon head girls basketball coach Frank Howell is jumping back into the high school ranks at Central Decatur.

Howell spent the past four years in the college ranks as the head women’s coach at Graceland University in Lamoni. The Central Decatur School Board officially approved the hire of Howell on Wednesday.

While coaching at multiple high schools, Howell led eight teams to the state tournament, including the 1999 Audubon state champion. He also had three runner-up teams and two other state semifinal appearances.

Howell’s career record at the high school level is 345-172. He is a member of the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Howell takes over for Curtis Boothe who took over the boys head coaching position after Zach Clark resigned. Boothe led a successful run for Central Decatur with 392 wins, six state tournament appearances, and 10 Pride of Iowa Conference titles in his 18 years.