Howard Barker was not involved with wrestling in either high school of college but became a teacher of the sport and had a tremendous impact and influence on making wrestling what it is today in the state of Iowa.

He began his career in 1929 at Mason City High School as a biology teacher and football line coach. The following year he began working his linemen out on a small mat. When other students became interested, a wrestling program was started and in 1932 it competed in a meet against Clarion.

After scheduling eight meets in 1933, Mason had its first winning season with an 8-4-0 record in 1934. Barker coached the team until he joined the Navy in 1941 and later returned for the 1946-47 season. Two years later Mason City had a 10-2-0 dual record and won the state title. The Mohawks went 8-3-0 and won their second consecutive state championship in 1949-50. In his final season in 1956-57, Barker's team went 7-5-0.

Barker had a career dual record of 132-78-5 for a .614 winning percentage. He helped many wrestlers achieve success, including three-time state champion Edward Kline, a couple of two-time state champions and numerous one-time state champions.

Barker was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1974.