Report: Juwan Howard declined recent overture from NBA team
Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Michigan head men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard has dealt with pro coach rumors. He has this in common with football coach Jim Harbaugh. Like his gridiron peer, Howard will be staying with the program he has built.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski weighed in Sunday on a potential NBA courtship of Howard. There were rumors earlier this offseason that the Los Angeles Lakers might make a push. It appears they did and Howard declined. The appeal of coaching the team he built, which include his sons Jace and Jett Howard, still appeals more to the former pro star.
“ESPN Sources: Michigan coach Juwan Howard recently declined a Los Angeles Lakers overture on the franchise’s head coaching job,” Wojnarowski tweeted. “Howard is coaching his two sons — Jace and Jett — in Ann Arbor.”
Following the earlier batches of rumors his wife made it clear it was about more than just his sons.
“I also with they would stop making it about ‘his sons,’ Jenine Howard tweeted on April 12. “He is excited to coach EVERY kid here. He wants to win a championship. That’s the focus.”
There would have been legitimate ties to the Lakers, as Wojnarowski said.
“Howard played at Michigan with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and with LeBron James in Miami,” said Wojnarowski. “The Celtics had interest in Howard a year ago before eventually hiring Ime Udoka.”
Howard, the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2021, is 61-32 in three seasons on the job in Ann Arbor. Michigan finished 19-15 this season, but made its fifth-straight appearance in the Sweet 16 where Villanova knocked it out. Howard signed a five-year contract extension with the program in November 2021.
Juwan Howard at Michigan for the long haul
Howard signed his contract extension on Nov. 16. The new deal runs through the 2025-26 season.
“I couldn’t be happier for our student-athletes and fans to know that Juwan will continue to lead Michigan into the future,” athletic director Manuel said in a statement after the extension was signed. “His great character is second to none, and he is a wonderful teammate —demonstrated through his commitment to proactive 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’s thoughts after the extension are seemingly unchanged from what was said back in November.
“I’m honored to be regarded in such a way that the University wished to continue a lasting relationship with me,” Howard said. “It was a surprise when Warde approached me [with the extension], and it didn’t take long for us to get on the same page.
“I’m grateful to him, our great university and my talented young men who sacrifice every day. The love I have for the University of Michigan is beyond words.”
Howard’s contract paid him $3.25 million in 2021-22, which was a $2.2 million increase over his previous deal. Escalators kick in for each additional season with the deal valued at $17 million over five years before bonuses.
