Update on Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard post-surgery

Last month, it was revealed that 5th-year Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard — who is looking to right the ship this year after an NIT berth last winter — had open heart surgery during the offseason. Right now, the Wolverines’ head man is still recovering; however, at Big Ten Media Days, we got an update on how Howard is doing and more by way of assistant coach Saddi Washington.

Update on Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard post-surgery

Phil Martelli is stepping in as the interim Michigan basketball coach to start the 2023-24 season, which is not too far out now. That said, Juwan Howard will be re-joining his Wolverines later this season and appears to be doing very well, according to Saddi Washington, who gave an update at Big Ten Media Days.

“We send greetings from Ann Arbor, obviously Coach Juwan (Howard) wasn’t able to be here — he sends his regards,” Michigan basketball assistant coach Saddi Washington said. “He’s doing fantastic, he’s in good spirits, and very motivated to get back to the young men, and we’re gonna be really excited the first time we see him walk down that hallway and into the gym.”

Any timetable for Howard’s return?

So, is there a timetable for when Juwan Howard will be re-joining the team later this year? According to Washington, the answer for now is no — that said, Howard is eager to get back on the floor with Michigan basketball.

“There’s no timetable, and quite honestly, we want him back when he’s ready,” Washington explained, talking about Juwan Howard and his return to the team. “He’s gonna listen to his team of doctors, and he’s gonna go through the process of working through his rehab and getting healthy. But I know how the competitive spirit that he is, and he’s gonna be running through the door when his time comes, and we’re just gonna hold down the fort and force forward and try to prepare these young men for this season.”

Michigan basketball looking to right the ship in year five of Juwan Howard era

Juwan Howard has seen four years of action with Michigan basketball thus far, and to say the results are confusing would be an understatement.

His first season was solid, but the NCAA Tournament was canceled. In his second season, the Wolverines made it to the Elite Eight with an outright Big Ten title and more. In his third season, Michigan was all over the place, yet eventually made its way to the Sweet Sixteen; and finally, last year, Michigan fell short of its goals, appearing in the NIT (losing to Vanderbilt in the second round).

This season, Michigan basketball looks to turn things around with a fantastic new transfer portal class and more.

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