The University of Michigan is parting ways with head basketball coach Juwan Howard after five seasons, the school announced in a press release.
Howard, of course, is a former Michigan star who was part of the Fab Five, the Wolverines' famed 1991 recruiting class that also included Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.
He later went on to play in the NBA, most notably with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards). He also spent time with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat during a pro career that spanned from 1994-2013. He made one All-Star appearance along the way.
Howard becomes the second former NBA player to be dismissed by a college program in two days, joining Jerry Stackhouse at Vanderbilt.
Howard has received plenty of interest from NBA teams over the past several seasons, though has opted to remain with the Wolverines. He led Michigan to the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed in 2021.
But this last season was a basketball disaster, with Michigan (8-24) compiling the most losses in a season in program history. They missed the NCAA tourney in back-to-back seasons for the first time in more than a decade.
"The buyout for Howard is $3 million, which is quite small for a coach who'd had the recent success that he achieved," wrote Pete Thamel of ESPN.
Howard's name could potentially emerge as an NBA assistant again, if not for a head-coaching vacancy. He could also return to coaching via the college route.
"Michigan was 87-73 under Howard overall, but went just 26-40 the past two seasons," wrote Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press. "Howard will be paid a $3 million buyout since the firing happened prior to June 30, per his contract."
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel confirmed Howard's dismissal.
"After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men's basketball coach," Manuel said in a statement released Friday. "Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program. Despite his love of his alma mater and the positive experience that our student-athletes had under his leadership, it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction."
