Juwan Howard out as head coach of the Michigan Wolverines

Not only an iconic figure in Ann Arbor but a recognizable basketball legend across the country, Juwan Howard will not return as Michigan men’s basketball head coach next season.

The Wolverines had an absolute embarrassment of a season that ended with a nine-point loss to Penn State in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Howard, who has been the Michigan head coach since 2019, led the Wolverines to an abysmal 8-24 overall record this season and just three wins against conference opponents.

Howard’s best year with Michigan was the 2020-21 season which included an Elite Eight appearance, a Big Ten Championship, and a 23-5 record.

Other than the Wolverine’s one successful season, the team has struggled mightly under Howard’s guise.

“It was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction,” said Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletic director.

The 24 losses this season are the most in program history, surpassing the previous mark of 22 losses from the 2007-08 season.

Last year, the Wolverines fell short of making the NCAA Tournament and subsequently fell apart. Michigan finished the regular season at last in the conference. The team lost 14 out of its last 15 games.

Beyond the losses this season, Howard’s final year with Michigan was filled with staff run-ins and drama off the court.

Howard was a member of the Fab Five and played nearly two decades in the NBA before becoming a head coach.

"I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program," Manuel included in his statement regarding the end of Howard's tenure.