Michigan Basketball: 3 reasons Juwan Howard isn’t leaving
By Alex Hinton
Michigan basketball is thriving under head coach Juwan Howard and despite interest from NBA teams here’s why you don’t need to worry.
The Juwan Howard era in Ann Arbor is off to a tremendous start. After a solid 19-12 record in his first year, Michigan basketball was one of the biggest surprises in the country last season.
The Wolverines finished 23-5, won the B1G regular-season conference title, and earned a No. 1 seed for the first time since 1993. Despite the heartbreaking loss in the Elite 8 to UCLA, Howard has Michigan basketball set up for sustainable success.
However, by doing so, Howard has remained a hot commodity in NBA coaching circles. This time, the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers are among the teams interested in hiring Howard.
The rumors are likely to continue, but there are a few reasons why you should not panic about Howard leaving for the NBA just yet.
Just a sign of success
Some Michigan basketball fans may be a little nervous about another head coach being involved in coaching rumors after John Beilein shockingly left to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, I think it is a good thing for the program that Howard is so highly coveted. His NBA background and long playing career only make him more appealing to pro teams, especially as they see the culture he’s built.
But it’s hard to see him leaving his alma mater two years into the job, especially when the Wolverines seem on the cusp of doing big things.
When your program is rolling, other schools/franchises are going to want to emulate that success and hire that coach for their organizations.
Michigan football dealt with this during the early years of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. As the program’s success has leveled off, Harbaugh’s attractiveness as a coaching candidate has leveled off with it.
Howard has built on the foundation John Beilein established. Through his first two seasons, he has proven to be capable with X’s and O’s, as a leader of young men, and on the recruiting trail.
In fact, Howard’s recruiting prowess could keep him in Ann Arbor.