Juwan Howard’s time at Michigan has come to an end.
Michigan announced Friday that it was parting ways with Howard after five seasons.
The wheels fell off this season as the Wolverines went 8-24.
Howard, 51, had played at Michigan in the fabled Fab Five era that also included Chris Webber and Jalen Rose.
Howard’s coaching tenure showed a lot of promise early, as the Wolverines went 23-5 and won the Big Ten regular season championship in his second season in 2020-21.
However, Michigan fell to 18-16 last season and missed the NCAA Tournament after having had two consecutive March Madness berths.
“After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men’s basketball coach,” athletics director Warde Manuel said in a statement.
“Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program. Despite his love of his alma mater and the positive experience that our student-athletes had under his leadership, it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction.
“I am thankful for Juwan’s dedication, passion and commitment to U-M and for all that he, and his legacy, will continue to mean to Michigan.”
Howard had a couple of issues beyond wins and losses at Michigan.
He was suspended for the remainder of the 2021-22 regular season after slapping Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft in an altercation following a Feb. 21 game, and later apologized for losing his cool.
He was also involved in a heated confrontation this past season with Michigan’s strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson that began over an apparent issue between Howard’s son, Jace, and a team trainer.
Howard played in the NBA from 1995-2013 and made one All-Star team and won two NBA championships.
