Michigan’s Juwan Howard Gets Vote of Confidence Amid Disastrous Season

Michigan Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel weighed in on his beleaguered coach.

For the second straight year, a Michigan men’s basketball season has not gone according to plan.

In 2022-23, the Wolverines opened the season ranked No. 22 in the country but finished 18-16 and missed the NCAA tournament.

This year has gone even further sideways. Expectations were modest entering the season, but Michigan has nosedived to an 8-17 record with losses to Long Beach State and McNeese State.

With all eyes on coach Juwan Howard, Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel offered the former NBA All-Star a vote of confidence Wednesday morning.

“It would be fair to say I have not really thought about any changes in our men’s basketball program at this time,” Manuel told reporters on a Zoom call Wednesday. “I guess I can’t say it any clearer; I want to support Juwan to be successful and have not given any moment or thought of anything about changes at this time. And so my support is of him, of our student-athletes, and our staff.”

Michigan men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard has the support of athletic director Warde Manuel despite enduring a difficult season / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Howard, an accomplished former NBA assistant, is 87-65 in five years with the Wolverines. He led Michigan to a 23-5 mark in 2020-21, reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament before losing to UCLA.

“There’s no lack of effort from our student-athletes or coaches. And it’s a lack of execution at times and we have to be better—he knows that, they know that and expectations are high, but I will continue to have the conversations with him,” Manuel said. “And we’ll continue to support him in our program and continue to be there for him.”

Manuel’s comments provide a stark contrast to rival Ohio State, which fired Chris Holtmann on Wednesday while the Buckeyes sit with a 14-11 record.