The Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball program significantly changed this offseason. Michigan parted ways with Wolverine basketball legend Juwan Howard, who served as head coach for the men’s basketball team for five seasons. Underperformance and other issues led to Howard’s dismissal from his alma mater.
It wasn’t a decision that Athletic Director Warde Manuel took lightly.
Manuel spoke to The Michigan Insider on Wednesday about dismissing Howard. Based on his response, doing it wasn’t easy for him.
“Well, first of all, it was the hardest decision I’ve made in my career,” Manuel said, due to his respect for him. “I’ve gotten to know him very well over the past five years. Obviously, was impressed with him as a player and what he had done at Michigan and then in the pros. Him as a person, you know, going back to get his degree because he promised his grandmother he would. So, couldn’t find a better person.”
Manuel later explained that it came down to where the Wolverines program was going.
“Ultimately, though, I made the choice to make a change,” Manuel said. “I didn’t like the direction we were headed, and I didn’t think it was going to be any different this year.”.
Manuel once again reiterated that letting Howard go was “the hardest decision” he’s ever made but that you have to live with those decisions at the end of the day. They’re important decisions and ones that have to be made sometimes.
