Michigan basketball: Phil Martelli, players give update on Juwan Howard and his current role

The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team has been without head coach Juwan Howard since September after undergoing emergency heart surgery. The early prognosis for a return to action called for a 4-6 week layoff before being able to work his way back in and a potential full return in 10-12 weeks.

Howard and Michigan find themselves smack dab in the middle of that process right now, but his presence has been increasing in recent weeks as he works his way back. Howard was at Crisler Center on Friday night for the team’s 92-45 exhibition win over Northwood, and he is starting to appear at practices and return to form as his normal, vocal self.

“One or two weeks ago, he started kind of sneaking in, trying to be up there on the balcony,” Michigan forward Olivier Nkamhoua said on Friday night. “And I think he couldn’t deal with that. So he started sneaking in a little closer…like staying away, but not really. But he around, you know, you always find him somewhere peeking.”

In his absence, Michigan has been led by associate head coach Phil Martelli, who has filled in for Howard in the past in lead duties on the bench. Martelli discussed Howard’s recovery and how he has started to integrate back into the program.

“I have no idea [when he’ll fully be back],” Martelli said of Michigan’s head coach. “I know that he has unbelievable medical resources. And he is unlike most males in that he is not going to be stubborn. The experts will make the decision.

“And I will say having him back is interesting because even when he is back in some of our practice meetings, and the practice is crafted, it’s still…there’s certain touches that he’s looking for, certain ideas. His ferociousness for watching tape has not changed. That’s his team and allowing us to practice and prepare them has been, it’s been interesting.”

Howard’s main focus has been on his recovery so he can return to the Michigan sidelines at full strength. Even though everything in the program still runs through him, his assistants have been given the license and space to do their jobs, too.

But Martelli joked that he may start sending orders down during the exhibition.

“He was in the building, but he didn’t speak to us after walkthrough,” Martelli said. “He was in the building. At one point it crossed my mind, ‘If we start to trail here, is he going to send me a note? Is there going to be somebody sitting with him, and all of a sudden this kid’s going to come sprinting up with a note?’

“That didn’t happen.”

Howard’s current work with Michigan includes film study and making sure everyone stays on the same page.

“If he’s watching film, he sends us clips or if he’s at practice watching and then at the end he says something, he puts emphasis on just making sure we play together and then he sends the drills that we do at practice,” Nkamhoua said.

“So everything that the coaches bring us comes from the coaching staff all working together. So it’s one unit, whether Phil is the one saying it or Juwan is the one saying it, it all comes from them together. So we understand that that’s been how they’ve been able to keep Juwan’s presence in the gym with us every day.

“His energy has been great, his energy has been great, seeing him has been great. He looks healthy, his voice sounds good, his presence is felt, and he’s taking care of himself. I’m happy to see that. We’re not rushing him, luckily he’s not rushing himself, but he looks good. It’s been very good for us to see him around.”

Freshman guard George Washington III is currently going through an acclimation process to college hoops without the lead man who brought him in, but still feels like the development aspect of the program has remained intact.

“To be honest, the firepower we have from the coaches, it really hasn’t hurt our development,” Washington said. “We’ve still been able to grow and be able to push ourselves. Whenever Coach Howard is back and he says something, you can tell he’s where he’s at for a reason. There’s not another one of him. I can’t wait to get him back, but it’s been great.

“He’s been around a decent amount, especially now. We’re seeing his face more often. That’s making me really excited.”

Howard’s return to the Michigan bench does not seem imminent, but he is around and will continue to be a factor. In the meantime, Martelli and the Wolverines will open the regular season on Tuesday night at Crisler Center vs. UNC Asheville. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.