PORTALES, N.M. – It's Super Bowl week and as football fans across the globe get set for the game, two Greyhounds are preparing for a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy.

"Playing for the Super Bowl is so special," remarked Seattle Seahawks safeties coach Jeff Howard when asked about the excitement behind playing for the ultimate crown. "What an experience it is … I am excited!"

And the same sentiments follow for one of the team's strength and conditioning coaches.

"Grateful," repeated Seattle Seahawks strength and conditioning coach Tim Ojeda when talking about his reaction to the team winning the NFC Championship and playing for the Super Bowl. "I could not believe it."

Eastern New Mexico is extra excited and grateful for Jeff Howard and Tim Ojeda because they are ENMU alums. Jeff played linebacker for the Greyhounds where he was an all-american and led the program in tackles. His No. 3 jersey was retired in 2006 and he was inducted into the Hall of Honors in 2011. Tim came to Portales in 2005 and was a linebacker in his two seasons. Afterwards, he spent three years on the football coaching staff.

Getting to ENMU was not very hard for Jeff as his father, Mike, was part of head coach Bud Elliot's staff in Portales. Howard moved the family to Portales in 1997 when he was named offensive coordinator.

"We were expecting to be gone in four years," said Mike Howard when looking back at the family's move. "Now we are retired here."

The community kept the Howard family in Portales. It also helped that Jeff met the love of his life, Laci, when they came to Portales. Laci was signed to play basketball at ENMU and Jeff committed to compete for the football team.

When it came to attending college, Jeff had several Division I offers according to his father. Instead, the highly recruited player decided to become a Greyhound and be coached by his dad. It also helped that Eastern New Mexico had one of the top programs for pre-med that was comparable to nearby schools like Texas Tech and the University of New Mexico. Both Jeff and Laci studied pre-med.

"My decision to go to Eastern afforded me an opportunity to go to school with my wife and be on the football team with my dad coaching," said Jeff when asked about the recruitment process. "It means a lot. Growing up I was always around him and his teams. I was a gym rat … going on trips and working in equipment and meeting rooms. I learned so much from teams he had coached."

Jeff got "bit by the coaching bug" after college according to Mike. From 2007-10, he coached at Odessa Permian High. From there, he spent two seasons on the staff at Texas Tech.

In 2013, Jeff got his first opportunity in the National Football League. He found his way to Minnesota and held several roles over his six years with the Vikings. From 2020-22, he was with the Cleveland Browns where he directed the secondary units. Jeff spent 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers. In February 2024, he began his role with Seattle. Now, he is one win away from helping the Seahawks win the Super Bowl.

"Each step I have taken has allowed me to learn something different," said Jeff when reflecting on his career. "My goal is to always perform at the highest level."

Today, Jeff has the unique opportunity to coach some of the best players in the league and play for a championship.

"It's cool to be part of this group," said Jeff when asked about the Seahawks roster. "What stands out about our team is the connectedness and that they are truly working with one another."

Some of the lessons he brings up to the Seahawks are lessons he learned from his time in Portales.

"I played for coach Elliot and he used to have a saying from George Washington Carver."

    "Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied."
    - George Washington Carver

Coaching football is not an easy task. Long hours, time away from loved ones, and high stakes pressure are all things Jeff has managed over his career.

Throughout his childhood, Jeff got to watch his dad coach several teams. He witnessed firsthand the team have seven consecutive winning seasons (1998-04), which still ranks as the most winning seasons in-a-row for ENMU.

"Him and his wife have worked extremely hard to get where they are," said Mike when asked about his son's success. "The reason why the Seahawks are as good as they are, is that the team is a team… bought in … sum of the whole is greater than the individual parts."

Mike also talked about how the coaching staff taught the "Greyhound Way" to the team. The focus was always on giving the best everyday and staying focused on the team rather than just the individual aspect. Today, the Seahawks are learning the same lessons that Jeff did under his father at ENMU.

"We sit and see what we did at Eastern have an impact on a whole lot bigger level," reflected Mike.

One of the most unique aspects of Jeff's job is that it has reconnected the Howard family to Tim Ojeda. Tim arrived in Seattle just 10 months ago beginning as a strength and conditioning coach with a primary focus on linebackers and defensive backs.

Although the two coworkers never played on the field together at Blackwater Draw, Mike Howard was a coach for the Greyhound football program while Tim was playing.

Tim, originally from Banning, Calif., played his first two years of collegiate football for Mt. San Jacinto Community College. From there, he was recruited by assistant coach Todd Wallis to play linebacker. Without visiting Portales first, Tim took the leap of faith and made his way to the high plains of Eastern New Mexico.

"It was a culture shock," said Tim when reflecting on his first time coming to ENMU. "I looked at my dad and said, 'I've made some mistakes in my life and I might have messed up with this one.'"

His dad told him to meet with the coaching staff and learn more before making any rash decisions. So, Tim went to an introductory meeting with head coach Mark Ribaudo. After the conversation, Tim's feelings about the decision were flipped.

"I'm supposed to be here," said Tim to his father after the meeting.

Soon enough, he saw what truly puts Portales above other towns. The people.

"I wasn't used to how nice everyone was," said Tim. "You would walk into Walmart and everyone would say hello to you."

Tim flourished at Eastern New Mexico. He was one of the team's top tacklers as a senior and was asked to join the coaching staff as a graduate assistant soon afterwards.

Mike, Todd, and Mark all played an important role for Tim during his time at ENMU. The three coaches helped set up Tim with the opportunity to take his career to a higher level.

"I thought after grad school I would end up coaching PE and football at a high school," said Tim. "Instead, coach Wallis pushed me towards an internship at USC."

Despite little pay, Tim trusted the opportunity and took the chance to work with the Trojans.

"I remember sitting down with Rib (Mark Ribaudo) and Wallis (Todd Wallis) going through everything," said Tim. "They advised me to take the opportunity at USC to go learn."

Tim was in the internship role for a few months before the University decided to hire him in a full-time capacity. For the next 15 years, he worked with some of the best student-athletes in the country helping USC in various capacities. Some of the sports he worked with included football, volleyball, and water polo.

In Apr. 2025, Tim left Los Angeles to work in the NFL with the Seahawks. His transition to professional football has been smooth because of the athletes he works with.

"They like to work," said Tim when asked about coaching the Seahawks. "There is never any resistance to the things we are asking them to do."

In his first season in Seattle, Tim is part of a staff that has won the George Halas Trophy as part of their NFC championship. There are several characteristics that can be tied to winning programs. From team unity to having 100% buy-in, some of these are aspects of the 2025-26 Seahawks.

"The camaraderie stands out," said Tim when asked what separates the Seahawks from other teams. "They are always doing stuff together."

In his time at ENMU, Tim had similar relationships with teammates and friends. To this day he regularly talks with his old roommate. Now, he values those same relationships in his coaching role.

He has learned several lessons along the way. One quote that he remembers Mark Ribaudo repeating is from Charles Swindoll.
              
    "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."
    - Charles Swindoll

It's rare for someone to enter their first year in the NFL and compete for a Super Bowl ring. The team-first atmosphere drilled into the Seahawks staff and players has made this year one to remember. The neat part is that two Greyhounds are making an impact for the Seahawks.

"Life is going to throw everything at you," said Tim. "Walk in with a smile every day. Work as hard as you can for everything. Expect nothing and trust the process."

It will be a special day for Eastern New Mexico with two Greyhound alums coaching in the Super Bowl with their eyes set on the ultimate prize. It's mentorship and experiences from their time in Portales that have brought them to this moment.