Former Pirate pitcher Chris Howell came to Pensacola from Tiftarea Academy in Tifton, Georgia. Howell was selected as a three-time All State player and compiled a 21-12 record as a pitcher with a 1.87 ERA as a senior. Chris also had a career .387 AVG. with 11 homeruns in high school. 

Howell began his freshman year at Pensacola in 2002 under head coach Bill Hamilton. During his freshman season, Howell went 2-3 on the mound for the Pirates before an illness ended his season. The Pirates that year won the Panhandle Conference and set a school record for wins with a record of 42-17.In 2003, Howell was one of the best pitchers in Florida junior college. He posted a record of 6-2 with a 3.57 ERA and struck out 49 hitters in 63 innings. 

Chris moved on to the University of Tennessee to continue his baseball career. In his two seasons with the Vols, Howell pitched primarily out of the bullpen and helped UT reach the College World Series in 2005. 

After college, Howell pitched two years professionally for the Los Anglese Angles. 

Today, Howell is in his third year as the head coach of Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia. The Jaguars compete in the Peach Belt Conference,which is one of the top conferences in Division 2 baseball.