By CHARLIE PARENT
Michigan has parted ways with Juwan Howard after five seasons at the helm, the university announced Friday.
The news came on the same day The Athletic published a lengthy story about how the school opened a third-party review into the culture of its men’s basketball program last week.
“After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men’s basketball coach,” Athletic Director Warde 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 will be paid a $3 million buyout since the firing happened before June 30th, per his contract.
Howard amassed an 82-67 record in Ann Arbor, making the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022. The Wolverines won the Big Ten regular-season title in 2021 and he earned National Coach of the Year during the same campaign.
As a member of the famed “Fab Five,” Howard spent three seasons (1991-94) in Ann Arbor playing for head coach Steve Fisher. A two-time All-American (1993, ’94), Howard closed his U-M career with 1,526 points (15.3 ppg) and 745 rebounds (7.5 rpg).
There are now eight high-major openings, including Michigan, Ohio State, Louisville, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Stanford, Washington and Oklahoma State.
Michigan Athletics contributed to this article via release
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