Sometimes, the most unexpected moments lead to the biggest game-changing plays—and for two Indiana high school basketball coaches, a chance meeting in a hospital hallway set the stage for an entirely new chapter.
Back in April 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Garrett Winegar and J.R. Howell found themselves in a place no one wants to be: a hospital. Winegar, then coaching at Warren Central, and Howell, an assistant at Carmel, were both awaiting the birth of their first sons. Their wives—Sable Winegar and Kate Howell—were just two doors apart at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel.
What started as a simple hallway encounter on the way to the cafeteria quickly turned into something more. Bonds were forged, and soon, Jack Howell and Guyton Winegar were born—along with a friendship that would change the course of their coaching careers.
Fast forward six years, and that friendship has led to an exciting new partnership. Winegar, a state championship-winning coach at Fishers High School, recently made the leap to Iowa United Prep in Des Moines. There, he’ll lead the "Orange" Team, a squad of freshmen and sophomores, while former Indiana Hoosier Keith Smart coaches the "Black" Team of upperclassmen on the Nike EYBL Scholastic circuit.
Once Winegar had secured his spot on the Iowa United Prep staff, he didn’t hesitate to reach out to Howell. The question was simple: would he be interested in joining him as an assistant?
“I didn’t know if we would do it,” Winegar admitted. “It’s a big move.”
It took some thought, but Howell ultimately decided the timing was right. On Tuesday morning, he informed his team at Zionsville that he was stepping down after six seasons at the helm. His record there? A solid 77-62, capping a career that also included stints at Caston (2013-15) and West.
“I’ve been friends with Garrett for a while now, and we’ve had some other connections that have bonded us since then,” Howell said. “This opportunity presented itself, and it was intriguing for me to grow as a coach and a person.”
For Howell, the move isn’t just about a new job—it’s about chasing a long-held dream. Since the start of his coaching career, his goal has been to eventually break into the college ranks. This step with Iowa United Prep could be the perfect platform to make that jump.
From a hospital hallway to the hardwood in Iowa, this is a story of friendship, ambition, and the kind of chemistry every team dreams of.