Michigan AD Warde Manuel expresses support for men's basketball coach Juwan Howard

While the current Michigan men’s basketball season has gone slightly off the rails, athletic director Warde Manuel seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach. And he apparently hasn’t thought about head coach Juwan Howard’s future at Michigan — or if he will have one coaching in Ann Arbor.

In fact, Manuel offered his support to Howard the day after Michigan lost by 29 points on the road. With a little less than a month remaining in the regular season, Manuel’s consideration of Howard and the men’s basketball program is going to be a dominant conversation around Michigan athletics for weeks to come.

“I have not really thought about any changes in in our men’s basketball program at this time,” Manuel said. “I mean, it’s it’s one of those things that, you know, I guess I can’t say it any clearer: I want to support Juwan to be successful and have not given any moment and thought of anything about changes at this time. And so my support is of him, of our student athletes and our staff.”

After posting winning records during Howard’s first four seasons at Michigan and making two NCAA Tournament appearances (including the year without the NCAA tournament due to Covid), the Wolverines have backslid this season, sitting at 8-17 and in the basement of the Big Ten.

And potentially firing Howard, a member of the Fab Five and a widely popular figure among Michigan fans will be a difficult calculus to suss out. The program has certainly taken marked steps back in 2023 and 2024, but Manuel could also consider a Jim Harbaugh-esque salary reduction along with a demand for better results.

Either way, this matter is likely to keep up in intensity unless the Wolverines finish strong this season.

Howard made a passionate statement on his desire to keep coaching

Howard was asked if he’s still enjoying the daily grind of coaching following Tuesday night’s loss. Giving a powerful answer despite the ball not bouncing the Wolverines’ way this season.

“Let me tell you this, September 15th I spent 15 days in the hospital with open heart surgery and those 15 days in the hospital were like nights of thinking and appreciating life and always will,” Howard said. “And so now to be here coaching, that’s a blessing. A guy who almost lost his life. So do I enjoy coaching? You’re damn right I do.”

Howard missed an extended amount of time with the Wolverines following a heart procedure this summer, returning to the sidelines for Michigan’s 11th game of the season in a win over Eastern Michigan. Only adding to his appreciation for the game and the opportunity to coach for the Wolverines.

“And I enjoy being with these young men and learning from them and growing with them. I enjoy working with my staff and challenging each other, helping each other grow. I enjoy the crowd, all the BS that they say to me that’s trying to of course distract me. I enjoy that, that’s what competitors do. When you’re a competitor this is what you’ve grown so much [to love] and embraced,” Howard said.