Retired Canadian curling legend shifts focus to coaching women’s and men’s teams

Glenn Howard, a curling legend with four world championships under his belt, has officially transitioned into a coaching role after four decades of dominating the sport as a player. Despite his retirement announcement last spring due to ongoing knee issues, Howard’s passion for the game remains strong.

“I still want to play, I don’t know if that’s ever going to go away,” Howard admitted. “The game is in my blood and I want to play all the time. But I know it’s time with the old knee.”

Having started coaching in 2016 with Eve Muirhead’s team in Scotland and more recently with Team Jennifer Jones, Howard is now splitting his coaching duties between his son Scott’s Ontario squad and Chelsea Carey’s former team. Carey praised Howard’s approach to coaching, describing him as passionate, honest, and straightforward in his feedback.

Under Howard’s guidance, the Jones team reached the national final last season, finishing second in the Canadian rankings. Carey’s team, which includes Karlee Burgess, Emily Zacharias, and Lauren Lenentine, has shown promise despite some lineup changes and limited playing time together.

Zacharias missed the Grand Slam opener and won’t be available for the upcoming Co-op Canadian Open, but the team has pre-qualified for both the Scotties and the Canadian Curling Trials next year. Despite facing a learning curve with the lineup changes, Howard is impressed with the team dynamics and remains optimistic about their potential.

As the team prepares for the upcoming events, including the Silent Ice Centre, Howard emphasized the importance of focusing on the positives and making the best of the situation. The second Grand Slam of the season will feature top men’s and women’s teams competing in a round-robin format before advancing to the playoffs.

Although Howard has yet to throw a stone this season, he hopes to return to playing at a recreational level in the future. Coaching has allowed him to stay connected to the sport and give back to the curling community, a rewarding experience that he is excited about.

As Howard continues to adjust to his new role as a coach, his expertise and passion for the game will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the teams he works with, ensuring a bright future for Canadian curling.