Juwan Howard talks about his health, Jon Sanderson after win over EMU

Michigan handled Eastern Michigan, 83-66, to improve to 6-5 this season, but that took a backseat to the most important thing — head coach Juwan Howard’s health. The coach was grateful to be back in head coach capacity following open heart surgery in Sept., and it was obvious during his postgame press conference. 

Howard has been on the bench in an assistant coach role the last several weeks, but he was ready to return as head coach … and it showed. 

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“It’s truly a blessing,” Howard said. “I have to thank God first, also giving a big, big shout-out to University of Michigan Medical, my doctors, Dr. Patel and his crew, the nurses … there have been so many beautiful nurses that have worked with me during my recovery. I’d also like to thank my wife [Jenine] — that’s the best nurse I have. And I didn’t know that she went to medical school, but she was with me from the first day, all day. Having my wife with me … such a beautiful moment having her support.

“Also, I’d like to thank my players for the support — the text messages as well as the phone calls and cards. I have to give a big shout out to the coaching staff — Coach Phil Martelli for doing a really good job while I was away. Saddi Washington, Howard Eisley, Jay Smith, Jaaron Simmons. There are many, many managers. There are so many support staff members that have been here having my back, helping while I’ve been gone, and I trust everyone that while I was away — it felt like I was never gone.”

Being back on the sidelines in that capacity was something Howard will likely never take for granted again. 

“I remember the times when I was sitting in my hospital room and just thinking, ‘would I ever have that opportunity ever again?’ And it’s the people that I thanked earlier along with the Michigan fans who prayed for me daily, getting prayers from the NBA basketball family, getting prayers from my old teammates, people back home in Chicago, people I grew up with praying for me,” Howard continued. “You just never know. I had so many people supporting me, and I never second guessed that. But that’s what got me through the process. It really did.

“Being away, I got a chance to reflect late at night. You’re talking 3, 4, 5 in the morning, when you guys are probably asleep and I’m awake and I’m listening to the heart monitor beeping, and there are medical professionals coming in my room and they’re doing their job taking vital signs. Now it’s taking me some time to get back to sleep, but one of the things I think about is basketball. It never leaves my mind.

“I’m always wondering, ‘Okay — well, how can you have the growth mindset? What are some of the most important things that your team needs to help grow? How can you challenge them? What are some of the things as a staff, how can we be the best version of ourselves for them?’ And those are the thoughts I have.”

More than anything, though, he’s grateful he trusted his instincts and went to the doctor when he knew something wasn’t right. He’s been stubborn in the past about his health, he admitted, but going in probably saved his life.

After 15 days in the hospital and plenty of reflection, he was ready to get back at it. 

“I got a chance to reflect on how badly do I want this — to get healthy. Am I going to put my head down and be in a puddle and just feel sorry for myself, or am I going to toughen up, roll up my sleeves and say, ‘You know what? There’s no time to start feeling sorry,” he said. “Let’s figure out how to get healthy.’”

He’s done that, and he’s ready to help his team continue to improve. 

Howard defers to Warde Manuel on Jon Sanderson situation

Michigan strength coach Jon Sanderson wasn’t on the bench Saturday for the second game in a row, also having missed the game at Iowa after an altercation with Howard. 

“I’ll basically piggyback on what Warde said — refer to his statement,” Howard said, referring to athletic director Warde Manuel. “I think it was clear. It was precise. And there’s still a review happening at this moment.

“I’m not sure [of Sanderson’s status]. I would definitely say to you, ‘go back to that statement that Warde made. That will of course answer any question that you have.”