Howard isn’t living in the past
Former member of Fab Five new coach of the Wolverines
Juwan Howard still wears black socks to practice, just as he did when he played for Michigan. But the first-year Wolverines coach doesn’t expect anyone to follow his fashion sense these days.
“The guys, it’s their team,” Howard said. “They get to choose. I had my time. My time is over. It’s about them.”
Howard can control that in practice. But for the rest of Ann Arbor, Mich. — and the college basketball landscape — this is the Howard Show.
The Chicago native has returned to his alma mater 28 years after being part of the Fab Five, a group of Michigan freshmen who made an indelible impact on the game and its culture — from their baggy shorts and black socks to their overall swagger — while reaching consecutive NCAA championship games in 1992 and ’93.
Howard, 46, has flecks of gray in his hair now after cutting his coaching teeth in the NBA the last six seasons as an assistant with the Heat, with whom he won two NBA titles at the end of his 19-year playing career.
Speaking at Big Ten media day last month in Rosemont, he deflected questions about a Fab Five reunion while referring to himself as the “rookie.”
He’s focused on 2019, not 1991.
“I can adapt and relate to this culture,” he said of coaching today’s college players, pointing out they’re not much younger than players he coached with the Heat. “At times they make fun of me because I’m bopping my head to their music. I don’t know what they’re saying, but …”
Howard said only one college job would have drawn him away from the NBA. He said he turned down a $5 million annual salary from another college team.
Howard was scheduled to interview for the Timberwolves head coaching job, he said, when he heard the news of John Beilein’s sudden departure to coach the Cavaliers, creating an opening at Michigan.
“My wife looked at me and said, ‘You’re smiling, huh?’ ” Howard recalled. He pointed to a “M” pin on his lapel. “It’s Michigan,” he said. “It’s that simple. It’s not only because I went to school there and I’m alumni. It’s one of the best, top institutions in the country. There was only one place in college basketball I was going to come back to coach, and it was Michigan.”
Despite losing NBA draft picks Jordan Poole and Ignas Brazdeikis and former St. Rita star Charles Matthews, the Wolverines return a talented roster with Zavier Simpson in the backcourt, Isaiah Livers on the wing and Jon Teske down low.
While Howard said he has no geographic limits to his recruiting scope, his ties to Chicago will be beneficial. He was a McDonald’s All-American at Vocational before joining Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson in the Wolverines’ landmark recruiting class.
“People here in Chicago know I always talk about (how) Chicago is my home,” he said. “Chicago is … the place that helped me become the man I am today. I’m going to recruit everywhere. You might see me in South Dakota. But Chicago has some of the best basketball players in this country. Basketball is our No. 1 sport.”
Michigan players have noticed the excitement about their new coach.
“It’s brought a great vibe, a different vibe,” Simpson said. “We’re ready to have some fun this year.”
Howard is eager to add to his history at Michigan — in the present.