Michigan Basketball: 3 reasons why Juwan Howard will succeed
Michigan basketball announced its new leader today as Juwan Howard, the former NBA head coach, player, and member of the Fab Five. Here are three reasons why he’s going to succeed at UM.
The Michigan basketball fans are not torn over the decision, they’re ecstatic. The first college player to leave school early and still earn his diploma on time. The two-time NBA champion. The sought after NBA assistant has returned to the place he always wanted to be.
The typical pundits are out sending questions about Juwan Howard’s ability to call plays or run a team, which are valid arguments. Yes, he was never a head coach, neither was Tom Izzo – unless you count Ishpeming High School in the UP – and neither was Pat Reilly before he took over the Lakers.
Here is what Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press had to say:
"But his lack of head coaching experience in college is a glaring concern, and Howard needs to surround himself with veteran assistants who know the college game and know all the of ins and outs of the NCAA rule book."
〽️ICHIGAN... He has some unfinished business to tend to 🏅 @miamiheat We are eternally grateful for these past 9 seasons. Two Championships, Growth, Life Lessons and Unbreakable Bonds! We are HEAT LIFERS 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Jenine Howard (@J9Howard) May 22, 2019
Excited for this next chapter! Let’s get it!! #GOBLUE 〽️🏅〽️ pic.twitter.com/6wCYOq5Suj
Penny Hardaway was employed for one year as a High School HC before taking on the Memphis job and while we haven’t seen him coach at the collegiate level, he brought in the No.1 recruiting class during his first few months at Memphis.
The other argument comes in the form of the ability to recruit. That’s actually one of the reasons why he’s going to succeed. Here is what the Seidel said:
"And we don’t know even know if he will be able to be an effective recruiter. Maybe, you would think that Howard’s role as a member of the Fab Five would help to recruit, but I doubt it. Maybe, that will impress parents of recruits. Or grandparents. But I doubt that it is going to be the sole factor in landing a recruit."
The final argument ends with player development. How do you take an 18-year-old kid and turn them into a man? That’s also already been addressed by those close to Juwan and they know the truth about why he is going to succeed.
Why do I think he’s going to succeed? Here are three simple reasons.