The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1178918
34 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2019 2019-20 BASKETBALL PREVIEW BY JOHN BORTON I nquiring minds wanted to know why. Why, with NBA jobs beckoning, the glamor and allure of basketball's biggest stage at hand, would a bright, young coach want the grind of recruiting at the college level? Juwan Howard smiled, a beaming visage signaling both inside knowl- edge and slight incredulity over the inquiry. He moved his NBA-sized right hand from his side, pointing to a gleaming block M lapel pin. Then his grin widened. "It's Michigan," he said. "It is. It's that simple." For those who love their Uni- versity in Ann Arbor, who revel in memories of Cazzie Russell, Rickey Green, Glen Rice and the '89 national championship, Howard's own Fab Five, and the resurgent John Beilein years, the gesture proved perfect. He gets it. He's ONE of us. Everywhere he goes, Howard leaves no doubt. His experience at Michigan shaped his life. A quarter- century in the NBA, as a player and coach, couldn't change that when it came time to pick a landing spot. "It's not only because I went to school here, and I love it," he said. "This is Michigan — one of the best, top institutions in the country." When Beilein went the other direc- tion last spring — becoming head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers af- ter four decades in college coaching — Howard couldn't believe it. The development grabbed his at- tention like a Final Four opportunity. "There was only one place in col- lege basketball, if I ever came back to coach — it was Michigan," How- ard elaborated. "I've always told my friends, colleagues, family and my wife that. We woke up on Monday morning, and we were like, 'Whoa! Coach Beilein just went to Cleve- land? Where did that come from?' "At that time, I had an interview set up in Chicago and for the Min- nesota Timberwolves' head coaching position. My wife looked at me and said, 'You're smiling, huh?' I said, 'I always told you, if the Michigan job ever opened up, that's the only place …'" He's underscored the love repeat- edly, in indelible fashion, after U-M director of athletics Warde Manuel brought him on as Beilein's succes- sor. The tears he shed at the podium upon his introduction as head coach will always be remembered. He didn't stop there. Howard embarked on a whirlwind slate of activities that went far beyond the already daunting basketball moun- tain — learning the NCAA rule book, embarking on the chase for future Wolverines, getting to know the present ones and building a staff. He's doled out donuts on the Diag to Michigan students. He ventured to root on Erik Bakich's baseball team at the College World Series championship. He shows up with delight at The Big House on football Saturdays. He's spoken to alumni groups, me- dia, fans on the street, anyone who will listen about what he wants to keep going and build upon at Crisler Center. And he's loving every minute of it. "Man, I'm genuinely having fun," he said. "It's a dream come true, to be able to come back to my alma ma- ter and be able to coach a basketball team where I once was a student- athlete, from '91 through '94. "With my passion for teaching, the next best thing to being a player is coaching. Being back, going to res- taurants and feeling the Michigan energy, I enjoy that. Going through the campus and letting the students know that, 'Hey, I know how studies are going. I've been in those shoes.' "I show them appreciation. The least I can do is give them some do- HOME AGAIN Juwan Howard Revels In Returning To Crisler Howard, a former U-M All-American and NBA All-Star as a player, was officially named John Beilein's replacement on May 22, 2019. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN