The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2021 M ichigan director of athletics Warde Manuel has taken steps to ensure Juwan Howard will be around for a long time. The U-M head coach signed a five-year extension Nov. 16 that will run through the 2025-26 season. Howard's extension, complete with revised financial terms, became effective immediately upon being signed. "I couldn't be happier for our student- athletes and fans to know that Juwan will continue to lead Michigan into the fu- ture," Manuel said in a statement. "His great character is second to none, and he is a wonderful teammate — demon- strated through his commitment to pro- active communication and collaboration across the department. "Juwan's love for this university is evident in all that he does, as is the joy he takes in the accomplishments of his student-athletes." Howard guided the Wolverines to a 23-5 record and a 14-3 Big Ten mark last season, resulting in the program's 15th conference regular-season title. U-M earned its second No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and, several days later, the No. 1 seed in the NCAA East Region. The latter was the program's third No. 1 seed in history, joining the 1985 and 1993 teams. Howard also became the first person to earn a No. 1 seed as a player and as a coach in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan advanced to its fourth straight Sweet 16 last year after wins over Texas Southern and LSU. A victory over Florida State gave U-M its fourth Elite Eight appearance in the last eight tour- naments before a loss to UCLA knocked the Wolverines out. Howard's 2021-22 team got off to a 2-0 start and ranked fourth nationally be- fore struggling a bit. Many believed the Wolverines were one of the favorites for a Final Four berth, and they were picked to win the Big Ten before losses to Seton Hall at home and to Arizona in Las Vegas slowed the momentum. Regardless, they still stood 4-2, and Howard continues to recruit well and has amassed plenty of talent. It's a matter of finding the right recipe on the floor be- tween a mix of youngsters and veterans. Howard said he was looking forward to being Michigan's coach for a long time. "I'm honored to be regarded in such a way that the University wished to con- tinue a lasting relationship with me," Howard said. "It was a surprise when Warde approached me, and it didn't take long for us to get on the same page. "I'm grateful to him, our great uni- versity and my talented young men who sacrifice every day. The love I have for the University of Michigan is beyond words." Howard was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year last year, the Wolverines' second recipient and first since Bill Frieder in 1985. He also was the first Big Ten coach to be recognized with the award since 2005 (Bruce Weber, Illinois). He also won the United States Basket- ball Writers Association (USBWA) Henry Iba Award and was named the National Coach of the Year by The Athletic and Sporting News. — Chris Balas MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Juwan Howard Signs Five-Year Contract Extension Howard's extension was signed Nov. 16 and keeps him in Ann Arbor through the 2025-26 season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN