Michigan Wolverines Basketball

Former Michigan Wolverines men's head basketball coach Juwan Howard opened up about his firing, health issues and a number of other topics during a wide-ranging interview with Brendan Quinn of The Athletic that was published Thursday.

Michigan's season was a failure and ended with an 8-24 overall record and 3-17 mark in Big Ten play. The team came nowhere near reaching the NCAA tournament, and Howard was fired after two consecutive absences from the Big Dance.

However, he was also dealing with serious health issues throughout the campaign.

A CT scan revealed he had blood clots, while an MRI showed an unruptured aneurysm in his aorta in addition to blood clots in his lungs. He waited for 14 weeks for a Sept. 15 surgery that resected an aortic aneurysm and repaired his aortic valve.

"I was scared," Howard said. "But I never admitted that. I didn't show it in front of my wife or my family, and I never showed it in front of my staff."

He also said he regrets waiting to tell his players just one day before the surgery.

"I didn't want to scare the players in a way where they might not want to finish out their years here and enter the transfer portal, or where the players I was recruiting might not want to come," he said. "To go through and explain if I'm going to be here or not, if I'm going to be coaching. I ultimately decided to keep it close to the vest."

Howard returned to the bench much earlier than the doctor-recommended six-to-12-week recovery time. What's more, he was advised to undergo an additional surgery for an atrial flutter, but it was canceled when snow grounded Michigan's return flight after a January road game at Purdue.

He decided against having the surgery during the season and will instead have it on April 19.

"You can allow your competitiveness and take control over, you know, what you know in your heart," Howard said. "If I could go back and do it all over again, I would've taken time off to really get help. I should've listened more to the doctors and my wife. There were days that I wouldn't get any sleep and could barely get out of bed, but I'd go in there and try to act like I was fine."

The health issues came during a season that brought a disappointing end to a tenure that was once filled with such promise.

Michigan's decision to hire Howard as its head coach marked a homecoming for a program legend who was one of the members of the Fab Five and played for the Wolverines for three seasons until he was the No. 5 pick of the 1994 NBA draft. He helped lead the team to back-to-back national championship games and an Elite Eight.

Reaching a national championship as a coach seemed like a realistic goal as well when he was the Big Ten and Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2020-21 in just his second season. The Wolverines won the regular-season Big Ten title, reached the Elite Eight and seemed to be setting the foundation for long-term success.

Yet Howard's third season was marred by an incident after a game against Wisconsin.

He and Badgers head coach Greg Gard started yelling at each other in the handshake line, and they were eventually separated. However, Howard struck Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft, which escalated the situation.

Howard was fined $40,000 and suspended for the remainder of the regular season that saw Michigan finish 19-15.

"I will always regret how that situation happened, and I will always take full blame for it, because (I) can automatically say, 'Oh, that wasn't me,'" he said. "But, yes, it was. I could've controlled that and handled that situation better. That's what I'll always bang my head about. I had the opportunity to apologize publicly, but I also did so privately to the coaches at Wisconsin. We talked. And we moved on and got past the situation. But I can't sit here and ask people to forget that that ever happened. I take full ownership of it."

Although temporary optimism was renewed with a surprise run to the Sweet 16 as a No. 11 seed, that was the last time the Wolverines made the NCAA tournament under Howard.

This past season also featured an incident with Michigan strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson. Howard said it started when his son and Wolverines player, Jace Howard, was yelling at an athletic trainer.

While the head coach told his son to stop, Sanderson also apparently got involved and continued to yell at Jace and then said he dealt with "the same bulls--t" from another player.

Howard said he eventually cursed at Sanderson and kicked him out of the gym, which is when assistant coaches held the strength coach back to prevent a physical fight. The university eventually cleared the head coach of wrongdoing with a human resources investigation, and Sanderson resigned on March 1 with a settlement agreement that included a non-disclosure clause.

For his part, Howard said he didn't want to escalate things.

"I'm like three weeks into returning to the facility and have an incision on my chest," Howard said. "Also, I'm not stupid. After the Wisconsin situation, I said I would never, ever, ever put myself in a situation like that again, where I put my hands on anyone, where it results in any type of physical friction, and second, that I would never put our players in an unsafe environment, and the last part, to never embarrass the entire university and my family. So am I gonna try to fight (Sanderson)? (He's) 6-8 and strong as s--t."

The head coach, who went 87-72 during his five seasons, also said he didn't feel fully supported by the athletic department when it came to name, image and likeness funding, which is something that may need to change for the Wolverines if they are going to bounce back under new head coach Dusty May.

But that doesn't mean there are any hard feelings.

"I'm never going to be bitter about the situation and how it ended," Howard said. "I respect that people have jobs to do. Sometimes in this profession, you have to make tough decisions. I'm not saying this was a tough decision, it was probably an easy decision. Who knows? But I'm a Michigan man through and through. … I'm just sad I'm leaving a lot sooner than I expected to."

The Michigan Wolverines have found Juwan Howard's replacement.

The school announced Sunday that Florida Atlantic's Dusty May agreed to a five-year contract with an average value of $3.75 million to become the next men's basketball head coach:

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news on Saturday.

"May became swept away with the alumni network and its fierce loyalty to the university and athletics, sources said," Wojnarowski wrote. "His belief is that that will help transcend some of the inherently transactional nature of the modern NIL/transfer portal era in recruiting and player retention."

According to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, May chose Michigan over Louisville, Vanderbilt and others.

Michigan fired Howard this month following an 8-24 season. The Wolverines finished last in the Big Ten for the first time since 1966-67 and ultimately decided a change was necessary.

Howard was hired by Michigan ahead of the 2019-20 season. He led the program to an 87-72 record and two NCAA tournament appearances during his five-year tenure.

May, meanwhile, had been head coach of Florida Atlantic since 2018. In his six seasons at the helm, the Owls went 126-69 and secured an NCAA tournament berth in each of the last two seasons.

FAU went 60-13 over the last two campaigns under May. The program's .822 winning percentage in that span was the fifth-best in Division I, according to ESPN Stats and Information.

After reaching the Final Four last season as a No. 9 seed, the Owls suffered a first-round loss to No. 9-seeded Northwestern in this year's tournament as a No. 8 seed.

After the loss, May told reporters he wasn't sure about his future despite being arguably the hottest head coaching candidate on the market.

"No idea," May said. "All intentions now have been with this team, with this group. As we see though college basketball is very fluid. … No idea what's next for anybody in our locker room. I love it at FAU, I love coaching these guys and that's it."

After firing Howard earlier this month, the Wolverines saw multiple players enter the transfer portal, including Dug McDaniel, Tarris Reed Jr., Youssef Khayat and George Washington III.

May heads to Ann Arbor with quite the rebuild on his hands, but the Wolverines should be able to reestablish themselves as one of the top college basketball programs in the country under his tutelage.

Michigan's 2024 men's basketball recruiting class has taken a hit following the firing of head coach Juwan Howard.

Joe Tipton of On3 reported that 2024 Top-30 recruit Khani Rooths officially decommitted from the Wolverines Monday. Additionally, Tipton reported that the Wolverines leading scorer from Dug McDermott had entered the transfer portal.

Howard was fired Friday following five seasons as the programs head coach. He compiled an 87-72 overall record with two NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the elite eight in 2020-21. An 8-24 2023-24 season, combined with claims that Howard had created a "culture of fear" in the program, ultimately led to his departure.

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The jury is not out on Rooths suiting up for the Wolverines, as Tipton reported that he is still considering the program but is opening up his recruitment.

The 6'8", four-star recruit from IMG Academy was ranked as the sixth-best power forward in the nation and the No. 8 player from Florida, per 247 Sports. He has 12 scholarship offers and made visits to Michigan, Georgia, Florida State, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech.

Following his decommitment, Michigan now has just two players in its 2024 recruiting class, per 247 Sports. They are four-star guard Christian Anderson and three-star guard Durral Brooks. The current class is ranked 56th in the nation, per 247.

McDaniel averaged 16.3 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds for the Wolverines in 2023-24. He was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2022. He notably missed time in 2023-24 while being suspended for "academic issues."

Michigan will need to hire Howard's replacement, and the next head coach's first task will likely be building this roster back up.

Following a highly disappointing 8-24 season, the University of Michigan fired head men's basketball coach Juwan Howard on Friday, ending his five-year run at the helm.

Howard will be leaving the job with a $3 million buyout in his contract, per Ehsan Kassim of the Detroit Free Press.

Kassim noted Howard's buyout would have decreased by $1 million in each of the next two seasons, coming to the end of his five-year contract that was originally signed in 2019. The deal was agreed upon after the Wolverines were coming off a 30-win season and back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16.

This past season was a tumultuous one for Howard, who missed the first 10 games of the campaign while recovering from heart surgery to resect an aortic aneurysm and repair an aortic valve.

The Wolverines were 5-5 when Howard returned to the sidelines, and they went just 3-19 the rest of the way, including ending the season on a nine-game losing streak.

Shortly before his return, Howard also got into an altercation with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson during practice, but no disciplinary action was taken, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

It wasn't the first time Howard was involved in a physical confrontation, as he struck Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the face during a postgame argument in 2022.

Howard was suspended for the remainder of the 2021-22 regular season as a result, but he was allowed to return for the Big Ten tournament and NCAA tournament.

The 51-year-old Howard was part of Michigan's famed "Fab Five" lineup in the early 1990s, and he went on to enjoy a lengthy, 20-year NBA career as a player, earning one All-Star selection and winning two championships.

Following several years as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat, Howard went back to his alma mater to serve as the head coach in 2019.

The Wolverines finished with a winning record in each of his first four seasons and made the NCAA tournament twice, reaching the Elite Eight in 2021 and the Sweet 16 in 2022.

Michigan missed the tourney with an 18-16 record in 2022-23, though, and to add insult to injury, star center Hunter Dickinson transferred to Kansas for the 2023-24 campaign.

In the wake of Dickinson's departure, the Wolverines bottomed out in 2023-24, finishing last in the Big Ten with a 3-17 conference record.

While Howard is a Michigan man through and through, the struggles of this past season were too much for the university to ignore, and the decision was made to move on after watching Howard post an 87-72 record in his five seasons at the wheel.

The Michigan Wolverines will have a new men's basketball head coach in the 2024-25 season.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manual announced Friday that head coach Juwan Howard would not be returning.

"After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men's basketball coach," Manuel said in a release. "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."

Howard compiled an overall record of 87-72 at Michigan, but an 8-24 season in 2023-24 ended his tenure with his alma mater.

This news comes after the revelation of a complaint filed against Howard by former Michigan strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson that stated that Howard had created "a culture of fear" within the program, per Brendan Quinn and Katie Strang of The Athletic.

Howard and Sanderson notably had an altercation in the training room prior to a practice Dec. 7, according to multiple reports. Sanderson would not work with the team again prior to his resignation on March 1, per Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press.

Howard was also suspended in 2022 for an altercation involving Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard. That resulted in a zero-tolerance policy being placed in Howard's contract.

Howard played three seasons at Michigan from 1991-1994, averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while helping lead the team to three NCAA tournament appearances and two national championship appearances. He went on to have a 19-year NBA career that featured one All-Star selection and two NBA championships.

He was named the Wolverines head coach ahead of the 2019-20 season and did experience some success. The Wolverines reached the NCAA tournament in 2020-2021 and 2021-22, advancing to the Elite Eight and Sweet 16 in the respective tournaments.

Michigan took a step back in 2022-23 before the wheels fell off this season. The Wolverines went 3-17 in conference play and lost their last nine games of the season, including a 66-57 loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament.

Michigan stated that it would begin a national search for its next head coach immediately.

Michigan men's basketball coach Juwan Howard has been accused of instilling a "culture of fear" by a former strength and conditioning coach.

Per Brendan Quinn and Katie Strang of The Athletic, the attorney for Jon Sanderson made the allegation on behalf of his client in an email to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel on Dec. 11, 2023.

"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," attorney Steven Stapleton wrote.

Sanderson's allegations include Howard threatening to "slap the s--t" out of his son, Jett Howard, who played at Michigan last season, during a practice, and one coach on the staff said he witnessed Juwan "manhandle" Jett on the court.

Stapleton's letter cited "troubling issues within the program" and Howard "created an intolerable environment for both staff and student-athletes."

Sanderson also alleged Howard directed bullying behavior toward members of the coaching staff and others.

Michigan announced on March 1 that Sanderson resigned his position as strength and conditioning coach. He was originally hired by the program in 2009 by then-head coach John Beilein.

The move came after a dispute between Sanderson and Howard in the training room prior to a practice on Dec. 7. Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press noted Sanderson hadn't been with the basketball program since that altercation and had been working with other teams in the athletic department.

Quinn and Strang highlighted the email as part of a bigger story about questions within the Michigan basketball program related to the culture created by Howard.

Howard has had a zero tolerance policy in his contract after he struck Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the face during a postgame skirmish in February 2022. The incident resulted in Howard being suspended for the final five games of the regular season and fined $40,000.

Manuel said in a statement after the Dec. 7 altercation between Howard and Sanderson that "nothing was found to warrant disciplinary action for anyone involved."

Howard, who played college basketball at Michigan from 1991 to '94, was hired by his alma mater in May 2019. He has an 87-72 career record with two NCAA tournament appearances and a Big Ten regular-season title in 2020-21.

The Wolverines' 8-24 record this season is tied for the second-worst single-season winning percentage in school history (.250).

The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team's season is over after a 66-57 loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament, capping an 8-24 season that stands as one of the program's worst campaigns in school history.

Per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, this marks the Wolverines' first single-digit win season since 1981-82, when the team went 7-20.

Per Ben Stevens of SportsGrid, Michigan's .250 winning percentage is its worst mark since 1960-1961, when the Wolverines finished 6-18. It's the second-worst winning percentage in school history, behind the 1959-60 team's 4-20 season (.167).

The Wolverines are led by head coach Juwan Howard, a former Michigan basketball superstar who enjoyed a successful 19-year NBA career.

Howard was a key member of the famed "Fab Five," which made back-to-back national championship games in 1992 and 1993. He then averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 rebounds during his two decades in the NBA.

He became Michigan's head coach in 2019. One year later, he guided the Wolverines to a 23-5 record, the Big Ten regular-season title and an Elite Eight appearance.

It's been all downhill from there. The following year, Michigan regressed to 19-15 overall, sneaking into the NCAA tournament as a No. 11 seed. Howard sat the final five regular season games after being suspended for striking Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft in the face during a postgame altercation.

Michigan did make a run to the Sweet Sixteen, though, dispatching No. 6 Colorado State and No. 3 Tennessee, but that's the last time the team has made the tournament.

The 2022-23 campaign ended with Michigan (18-16) missing the Big Dance entirely before falling in the second round of the NIT.

This year's team finished last in the Big Ten and lost 19 of its last 21 games, including all of its last nine. Michigan fell by an average of 17.6 PPG during that span.

After Tuesday's blowout loss against No. 2 Purdue, the Michigan men's basketball team faced criticism from one of its former players.

Wolverines alum Nik Stauskas took to social media to rip the team, writing, "These kids have no respect or understanding of what it means to put on that M. Haven't felt any kind of passion or love for the game from Michigan basketball in years."

Stauskas was a member of the 2012-13 Michigan squad that made it to the NCAA tournament national championship game, so he's earned the right to criticize the Wolverines when he doesn't believe the program is living up to its standards.

Michigan fell to 7-12 with Tuesday's 99-67 loss to Purdue, which was the team's seventh loss in its last eight games. It was the third time this season that the Wolverines allowed their opponent to score 90 or more points. It didn't help that they were playing without leading scorer Dug McDaniel, who is suspended indefinitely for road games due to academic violations.

The struggles this season have continued a sharp decline for Michigan over the past few years. After going 23-5 and reaching the Elite 8 in Juwan Howard's second year as head coach in 2020-21, the Wolverines went 19-15 the following year and 18-16 last season. Michigan failed to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament in 2023 and had its season come to an end with a loss in the NIT second round.

The Wolverines will try to bounce back from their recent struggles and build some momentum when they return to action on Saturday at home against Iowa.

The Michigan Wolverines will be without one of their best players for the foreseeable future.

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard released a statement on Wednesday announcing that leading scorer Dug McDaniel has been suspended for six upcoming road games due to academic violations:

A sophomore point guard McDaniel leads the Wolverines with 17.8 points, 5.1 assists and 36.1 minutes per game. He has made a significant jump from his freshman campaign in which he averaged 8.6 points, 3.6 assists and 30.8 minutes. Despite being undersized at 5'11" and 175 pounds, he has excelled as Michigan's primary option on offense this season.

McDaniel's upcoming suspension comes at an unfortunate time for the Wolverines. The team has a record of 6-9 and has lost four straight games, each of which were at home. Michigan is tied for last in the Big Ten with a 1-3 conference record.

The Wolverines will begin life without McDaniel with Thursday's road matchup against Maryland. After back-to-back home games, Michigan will travel again on Jan. 23 for a matchup against No. 1 Purdue. McDaniel will subsequently miss road matchups against rival Michigan State, Nebraska, No. 10 Illinois and Northwestern.

The next road game McDaniel will be eligible for will come on Feb. 29 when the Wolverines visit Rutgers.

Without McDaniel in the lineup, senior forward Olivier Nkamhoua will have to shoulder more of the scoring load. Nkamhoua is Michigan's second-leading scorer at 16.8 points per game.