Fred Howery was named head women’s varsity basketball coach April 23.

“I was very excited,” said Howery when he found out he got the job. “It is very awesome I am given the opportunity from build a program from the bottom up.”

Former head coach Denise Duncan resigned after three seasons with the team. Last season, the team finished 2-20 and did not win a Greater Cleveland Conference game.

Athletic Director Don Readence announced Howery’s selection in an April 23 email to players and their families.

The message explained the hiring process. He wrote, “Coach Howery was the unanimous selection by a diverse group of panelists that included three Shaker graduates, two former Shaker girls basketball players, a Shaker parent and high school and middle school administrators.”

Howery was head women’s varsity basketball coach at John Hay High School for five seasons. During his last three seasons, his teams achieved a 52-17 record and won Senate Athletic League championships in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Howery earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Findlay in 1995 and a master’s degree from Cleveland State University in exercise science and sports management in 2004. He taught physical education for 23 years in the Cleveland Municipal School District. Howery also was head varsity football coach at Oberlin High School from 2010-13.

“Through my career of playing football and coaching I’ve been successful,” said Howery. “When I was at John Hay we played in a lot of elite tournaments. I want to implement that here.”

In the email, Readance noted Howery’s vision for the future of the women’s basketball program. “Coach Howery plans to be heavily involved with improving and strengthening the youth/travel program in the community as well as working closely with the middle school coaches and program to create a more cohesive girls’ basketball program,” Readance wrote.

The Raiders’ last winning season was 2011-12, when they went 17-6 under head coach Mike Coreno.