The Wolverine

May 2021 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1361683

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 23 of 67

24 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2021 I know about that situation is that something pushed Juwan over. … "He's not playing to the press. That's literally who he is. When someone says something to you, or is charging you, you defend yourself. That's what he did. The next time someone tries to accost someone, they're going to think twice. That's the effect he wanted." Howard and his players desper- ately desired to be playing one more long weekend of basketball. Fans frustrated by Michigan's excruciating exit by a bucket against UCLA take a back seat to those who literally had the outcome in their hands. Afterward, they were crushed. The staff felt crestfallen. The head coach fought off the competitor's fury and desire to vent his full frustration. He had a team to coach — still. He had tears to dry. He had perspective to lend, tough as it was in that telling locker room moment. "Obviously, after a tough loss, you need a few moments to gather your thoughts," Smith related. "As a head coach, I never prepared a losing speech before a game. You don't. You have a couple of minutes to gather yourself. "You've got kids out there who aren't going to play with each other again. You've got young men who are out there who are upset, there are tears in their eyes, they're frustrated. You have to have a calming effect. "Juwan was very calm. He sent a great message of love for each other, love for the program, love for Michi- gan, love for this team. A lot of heart, a lot of love in that locker room, and that's because of the culture that Ju- wan has built — nobody else." BLINDINGLY BRIGHT FUTURE That culture includes winning big, almost right away. If the Big Ten championship and a run to the Elite Eight doesn't shout continued suc- cess, a national No. 1 recruiting class certainly does. Howard and his crew of assistants — Phil Martelli, Saddi Washington and Howard Eisley — shocked the world with those early returns. They didn't shock King, certainly not with the recruiting success. He's lived that movie before. "He recruited the Fab Five," King stressed. "He was the first to sign. As we were going through the pro- Howard Racks Up The Hardware In Season Two Juwan Howard's ultimate goal remains out there — playing on a Monday night in April, and winning. He still didn't get shortchanged on signs of success this year. There's a Big Ten championship banner to raise. There's an Elite Eight achieve- ment under his belt. There are also a number of individual plaudits, including multiple national Coach of the Year designations, including from the Associated Press and U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Michigan's second-year coach remains all about the team. But he's also grateful for the recognition that comes along with high-level team success. A rising tide floats all boats, and Michigan under Howard has set sail for new horizons. "Coach Howard does an elite job," noted UCLA head coach Mick Cronin. "He doesn't do a good job. He does an elite job. When your team is as organized as they are on both ends and plays as physical and tough as they do, that is a reflec- tion of their coach." "Without [the players], I wouldn't be here," Howard assured. "They're the ones that are out there sacrificing, competing, buying into the culture, buying into a head coach that pushed them to get uncomfortable, and they really accepted it. "I'm happy that with all that I was able to do, they helped me become the best version of myself." Next year, he expects an even better version: of himself, and of Michigan's NCAA Tournament experience. "It wasn't the environment that everyone's used to seeing in the NCAA Tour- nament, where you have so many fans in the building from different parts of the world," Howard said. "Yes, you have your own alumni, the players have their families and friends come out and support. It was great to see some family and friends from a social distancing standpoint. But it wasn't like what we normally see. "I'm sure next year … hopefully, we get back to some normalcy. We'll get a chance to really enjoy what that true NCAA Tournament, the real NCAA Tourna- ment, experience is all about." — John Borton Howard has put together the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for next year, and his passion for U-M will put the program in position to be successful for many years to come. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - May 2021 Issue