Juwan Howard is a Michigan Wolverines basketball legend. Remember the Fab 5? He was a big part of their run in Ann Arbor during the 1990s.
That’s why it was such a big deal that Michigan hired Howard to be its head coach back in May of 2019. A program legend returning to bring the Wolverines out of the abyss and back on to the national stage.
About that? Michigan has fired Howard following a drama-filled 8-24 season. The program made the announcement on Friday.
“After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men’s basketball coach. Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program.
Despite his love of his alma mater and the positive experience that our student-athletes had under his leadership, it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction. I am thankful for Juwan’s dedication, passion and commitment to U-M and for all that he, and his legacy, will continue to mean to Michigan.”
Michigan Athletic director Warde Manuel on the firing of Juwan Howard
Howard led the Wolverines to an 87-72 record in five seasons as their head coach. That included a spot in the Elite 8 during the 2020-21 season. But controversy seemingly cost him his job.
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Juwan Howard’s firing comes amid troubling report
Brendan Quinn and Katie Strang of The Athletic reported earlier on Friday that there was a growing “culture of fear” under Howard in Michigan.
The allegations come from former strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson.
“There is a culture of fear within the MBB (men’s basketball) program and concern for retaliation by Coach Howard that has prevented staff from coming forward earlier, but now it is time to address that abhorrent culture,” Sanderson’s attorney Steven Stapleton wrote.
There was a zero-tolerance policy written into Howard’s contract with Michigan after he struck Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the face during a post-game fight in February 2022.
That apparently came into play here.