Michigan basketball updates status of Juwan Howard

Michigan basketball updated the status of head coach Juwan Howard on Wednesday evening. He had recently been recovering from offseason heart surgery the past few months. As of right now, he’s opting to observe Michigan’s games from the team bench, while Phil Martelli is still acting as the team’s interim head coach, according to the Wolverines’ basketball Twitter page.

GAME UPDATE!

Juwan Howard is opting to observe the game from the team bench. Phil Martelli is still serving as U-M’s interim head coach. #GoBlue

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) November 22, 2023

Michigan is taking on the Memphis Tigers on Wednesday night. That game is being nationally televised on ESPN2.

Howard recently updated fans on his health status on November 3rd, a few weeks ago.

Juwan Howard shares health update via social media

Michigan head basketball coach Juwan Howard on Friday offered a message about his return to coaching after undergoing an offseason heart surgery. Howard didn’t offer a definitive timeline for his return to the Wolverines program, but struck a tone of optimism.

Howard, who had the surgery in September, was originally expected to be out for around 4-6 weeks before he could return to work, with a few more weeks before getting to full health. It has now been nearly eight weeks since his procedure, but Howard said he is “continuing to make strides” back to full health and working with his Michigan team again.

“I would like to express my deepest thanks to everyone who has sent well wishes, prayers, and kinds words for me and my family throughout my time away. I truly feel blessed. With each passing day I am continuing to make strides to getting back to 100 percent. It has been hard to be away from these young men, however, I know we will connect soon,” Howard said in a statement posted on social media.

Howard underwent surgery on September 15, with Dr. Himanshu Patel successfully resecting an aortic aneurysm and repairing Howard’s aortic valve, according to a release from the university.

Michigan opens the season against UNC-Asheville on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Howard missed Big Ten Media Days due to the procedure

Assistant coach Saddi Washington represented the Wolverines instead, and when he arrived to the podium provided an update on Michigan’s head man.

“We send greetings from Ann Arbor, obviously Coach Juwan wasn’t able to be here but he sends his regards,” Washington said. “He’s doing fantastic, he’s in good spirits, and very motivated to get back to the young men and we’re gonna be really excited the first time we see him walk down that hallway and into the gym.”

Washington was also asked about when Howard should be expected to return to the team and on the sidelines coaching the Wolverines.

“Well, you know my boss right?” Washington asked. “So he’s a very motivated individual to get back. But no, there’s no time table and quite honestly we want him back when he’s ready. He’s gonna listen to his team of doctors and he’s gonna go through the process of working through his rehab and getting healthy. But I know how the competitive spirit that he is and he’s gonna be running through the door when his time comes, and we’re just gonna hold down the fort and force forward and try to prepare these young men for this season.”

On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this article.