Juwan Howard's Luck Runs Out As Michigan Announces His Firing After Embarrassing Season: Reaction
Juwan Howard's luck appears to have finally run out. While he somehow managed to keep his job as Michigan's head coach after smacking a Wisconsin assistant in the face during the 2022 season, the Wolverines announced on Friday that they have parted ways with Howard.
Hitting opposing coaches in the face is one thing, but losing at an embarrassing rate isn't tolerable at Michigan, apparently.
"After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men's basketball coach," Warde Manuel, the Michigan AD said. "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."
Howard took over at Michigan ahead of the 2019-20 campaign and made his mark leading the Wolverines to a 19-12 overall record. The following season was, without question, his best at the helm with Michigan advancing to the Elite Eight. After a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021-22, things went downhill in a hurry.
Given that was the season that Howard pulled out his WWE move against the Badgers' coaching staff, it's not all that surprising.
Michigan missed out on the NCAA Tournament last season with a record of 18-16 and followed that up with an even worse campaign this year, going 8-24.
READ: Reporter Alleges 'White Media' Is The Reason Michigan Coach Might Be Fired
The last time Michigan did not win at least 10 games in a regular season was in 2007-08, John Beilein's first season in Ann Arbor.
Howard, a two-time NBA champion, is the second former NBA star to depart from his head coaching job at the college level this week with Jerry Stackhouse and Vanderbilt parting ways.