Michigan Basketball: 3 Reasons why Phil Martelli is the perfect hire

He knows what’s up

When the rumors began to swirl that Phil was going to be joining the Michigan basketball staff as an assistant, there were several pundits who said it would never happen, that Martelli would accept nothing less than another HC gig.

All Juwan had to do was pick up the phone and, in Matelli’s words, “this call, that one call, changed the whole equation for me.”

The one call to rule them all 

Martelli, among others who have feelings, was moved by the tears that flowed down the face of Juwan as he accepted the most important job of his entire life.

But before even Juwan could realize it, Martelli had already developed the recruiting strategy.

"We can now go into every living room of this country because you’re the real deal. You’re not an NBA two-time champion, you’re not a guy who played in two Final Fours, you’re not a guy who played 19 years in the NBA, you’re a real human being."

Great minds never rest.

Martelli’s comments encompass all that Michigan nation saw at the press conference when Howard realized his dream. What Howard also realized is he needed an assistant who has been in the game awhile, someone with a lot of head coaching experience, and someone that knew what their role was going to be on his staff.

Enter Martelli.

“Juwan is not asking me to come there and say, ‘Aw, that’s great. You played 19 years in the NBA. You have 2 rings. You played in 2 Final Fours.’” Martelli told Penn State Sports. “No, we close the door. We discuss. We debate. If we argue, we argue. But when we walk out that door, Juwan Howard is the head basketball coach at the University of Michigan. And whatever we’ve decided behind those doors, that’s what he’s going to get.”