Howard University, a historically Black university founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., has fielded basketball teams since the 1920s. The 'Bison' mascot reflects strength and resilience, fitting for a school named after Civil War general Oliver O. Howard. Howard competes in the MEAC and earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, representing HBCU basketball on the national stage. The university has produced more Black PhD recipients than any institution in America, extending its legacy of excellence beyond athletics.
The 'Bison' mascot was chosen to represent strength, resilience, and the American spirit, fitting for a school named after Civil War general Oliver O. Howard
Winning the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament game in 2026, when the 16-seed Bison edged UMBC 86-83 in the First Four, a historic moment for HBCU basketball on the national stage
Howard University has produced more Black PhD recipients than any university in America, and its athletic programs have been a cornerstone of HBCU sports tradition
The Howard Bison compete in the MEAC and hold an all-time record of 616–911 (.403 winning percentage) across 55 recorded seasons dating back to 1971-72.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 23-10 | 11-3 (MEAC) | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2024-25 | 12-20 | 7-7 (MEAC) | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2023-24 | 18-17 | 9-5 (MEAC) | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2022-23 | 22-13 | 11-3 (MEAC) | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2021-22 | 16-13 | 9-5 (MEAC) | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2020-21 | 1-4 | MEAC | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2019-20 | 4-29 | 1-15 (MEAC) | Kenneth Blakeney | |
| 2018-19 | 17-17 | 10-6 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2017-18 | 10-23 | 7-9 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2016-17 | 10-24 | 5-11 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2015-16 | 12-20 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2014-15 | 16-16 | 10-6 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2013-14 | 8-25 | 5-11 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2012-13 | 7-24 | 4-12 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2011-12 | 10-21 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2010-11 | 6-24 | 4-12 (MEAC) | Kevin Nickelberry | |
| 2009-10 | 7-25 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Gil Jackson | |
| 2008-09 | 8-23 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Gil Jackson | |
| 2007-08 | 6-26 | 3-13 (MEAC) | Gil Jackson | |
| 2006-07 | 9-22 | 5-13 (MEAC) | Gil Jackson | |
| 2005-06 | 7-22 | 5-13 (MEAC) | Gil Jackson | |
| 2004-05 | 5-23 | 2-16 (MEAC) | Frankie Allen | |
| 2003-04 | 6-22 | 4-14 (MEAC) | Frankie Allen | |
| 2002-03 | 13-17 | 9-9 (MEAC) | Frankie Allen | |
| 2001-02 | 18-13 | 11-7 (MEAC) | Frankie Allen | |
| 2000-01 | 10-18 | 8-10 (MEAC) | Frankie Allen | |
| 1999-00 | 1-27 | 1-17 (MEAC) | Kirk Saulny,Willie Coward | |
| 1998-99 | 2-25 | 2-16 (MEAC) | Kirk Saulny | |
| 1997-98 | 8-20 | 5-13 (MEAC) | Mike McLeese | |
| 1996-97 | 7-20 | 7-11 (MEAC) | Mike McLeese | |
| 1995-96 | 7-20 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Mike McLeese | |
| 1994-95 | 9-18 | 8-8 (MEAC) | Mike McLeese | |
| 1993-94 | 10-17 | 7-9 (MEAC) | Butch Beard | |
| 1992-93 | 10-18 | 6-10 (MEAC) | Butch Beard | |
| 1991-92 | 17-14 | 12-4 (MEAC) | Butch Beard | |
| 1990-91 | 8-20 | 7-9 (MEAC) | Butch Beard | |
| 1989-90 | 8-19 | 5-11 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1988-89 | 9-19 | 5-11 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1987-88 | 15-12 | 9-7 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1986-87 | 24-4 | 13-1 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1985-86 | 18-9 | 11-3 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1984-85 | 16-12 | 9-3 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1983-84 | 14-13 | 7-3 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1982-83 | 18-8 | 11-1 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1981-82 | 17-11 | 9-3 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1980-81 | 17-12 | 6-4 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1979-80 | 21-7 | 6-1 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1978-79 | 16-12 | 6-6 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1977-78 | 14-8 | 8-4 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1976-77 | 16-9 | 8-4 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1975-76 | 8-16 | 5-7 (MEAC) | A.B. Williamson | |
| 1974-75 | 13-13 | 6-6 (MEAC) | Marshall Emery | |
| 1973-74 | 11-15 | 4-8 (MEAC) | Marshall Emery | |
| 1972-73 | 22-6 | MEAC | Marshall Emery | |
| 1971-72 | 18-9 | MEAC | Marshall Emery |
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| Rank | Team | Conference | All-Time Wins |
|---|
Top 100 by all-time D1 wins. Verified against the NCAA record book — and tiered so you can argue properly.
| # | COACH | RECORD | WIN % | SCHOOL(S) | YEARS | BEST SEASON / LEGACY |
|---|