Juwan Howard will not return as Michigan’s men’s basketball coach next season after a tumultuous season that included off-court drama and dismal on-court results.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel made the announcement Friday, thanking Howard before saying “it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction.”
Michigan was 8-24 in Howard’s fifth season and 3-17 in the Big Ten. The 24 losses were the most for Michigan in a single season, surpassing a 10-22 mark in 2007-08, the first year of John Beilein’s tenure.
“After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men’s basketball coach,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement.
“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.”
The confrontation came after Juwan’s son, Jace Howard, allegedly had a dispute of his own with a trainer. Jace Howard didn’t play until Jan. 15 this season because of a stress fracture in his foot, and Sanderson detailed his side of what took place in an email to Manuel the next day.
