Hoops HC Candidates

[Michchamp]

Going back to the lack of a buyout clause in JB's last contract, I wonder if JB told Warde "I'll only come back on my own terms; I'm sick of this college crap, and if you insist on a buyout, I'm taking the Detroit job."

I got into an argument with some old guy on another board who wanted to blame the kids for leaving early (and only that), but I really don't think that had anything to do with it.

JB hasn't given any reasons for leaving, but he did say the hardest part was leaving his players.

I pointed out that we've lost a ton of talent early before... and it wasn't an issue for him: Stauskas, McGary, and Robinson all left as sophomores, with 2 years remaining... all at once. bigger loss than Poole and Brazdeikis. I think we're still a tourney team with Zavier, Teske and Livers. We weren't after those three left though.

I assume coaches know even more about the corrupt shit behind the scenes than we do, and I have to imagine the lack of enforcement from the NCAA is why Beilein left.

In my own experience, nothing kills a team more than finding out one guy is getting ahead/paid way more unfairly. I'd imagine it's the same thing taking a team deep in the tourney, or to the final, and losing to a team everyone knows is on the take.

Why keep doing it?

But I think the sporting press wants to blame the kids for JB leaving, not the league, because they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them... point out the 500 lb gorilla in the room, and his handlers stop giving you access, inviting you on shows, etc.

 

[hungry]

Ed Cooley is staying at Providence and has signed an extension.

Yay!

 

[thewolverines24]

Ed Cooley is staying at Providence and has signed an extension.

Yay!

Hail Odin!

 

[dubbsco]

Phew. That would have been terrible.

If it's not Howard, then it will get interesting. I still am totally OK with Smart or Yaklich.

 

[thewolverines24]

Phew. That would have been terrible.

If it's not Howard, then it will get interesting. I still am totally OK with Smart or Yaklich.

I'm hoping we get Howard and he retains Yak and Saddi.

Saw a bit, I think at UMHoops, about Howard mentioning two assistants he'd like to keep on. They weren't named, but I can't imagine it would be anyone else.

 

[TheVictors]

Yes. His individual awards were not vacated because he didn't do anything wrong.

The only players that got the program in trouble are Webber, Maurice Taylor, Robert Traylor, and Louis Bullock.

Jalen, Jimmy, and Ray didn't have anything to do with the sanctions either. Jalen got some chump change from Martin, but it was nothing anyone cared about. Jalen still has his All-American status from 94 as well. Jimmy and Ray were both from Texas and had absolutely no connection to Martin.

Bullock and Traylor lived in WQ next to my little brother in Fall '95. According to my Mom, Traylor helped her carry in a box and she said he was "the largest human being I've ever seen!" (RIP)

My brother said Bullock was always really nice but that there was definitely something 'going on' as school progressed.

 

[thewolverines24]

I can't post everything because it's subscription based, but here's a bit from UMHoops recent post on Juwan. They interviewed Greg Sylvander who covers the Heat. To say his review of Howard is glowing is an overwhelming understatement.

"His ability to balance having genuine relationships with players that go deeper than the typical player/coach bonds, while also remaining a figure that they respect enough to take advice from.

In speaking with Heat players throughout last season, it was unanimously conveyed to me how vital “Coach Juwan” is in the day-to-day lives of each player on and off the court. He truly is a mentor and locker room leader and those intangible qualities for a young coach are intriguing to see blossom."

That's the tip of the iceberg. Players rave about him and they make it clear that everyone listens when Juwan speaks. He is EXTREMELY respected.

 

[newton83]

Bring in Juwan! I'm 100% on board with him as the next coach. No to Shaka, he hasn't done squat at Texas. Pass...

 

[b311j]

Bleacher Report CBB
‏Verified account @br_CBB
39s39 seconds ago

Heat assistant and former Wolverine Juwan Howard is expected to be named Michigan head coach, per @miaheatbeat

I know, I know...Bleacher Report. But still.....

 

[Michchamp]

It's going to look real funny when 6'9" Howard has to bend all the way over to shake Tiny Tom Izzo's hand after wins next winter.

 

[tinselwolverine]

It's going to look real funny when 6'9" Howard has to bend all the way over to shake Tiny Tom Izzo's hand after wins next winter.

There have been a few as tall as Juwan.

 

[thewolverines24]

It's going to look real funny when 6'9" Howard has to bend all the way over to shake Tiny Tom Izzo's hand after wins next winter.

He could just pat him on the head.

 

[thewolverines24]

X's dad tweeted out that Howard is the coach.

He's deleted it since, but it's probably because he jumped the gun and UM didn't want him putting it out yet.

Looks like Juwan is the man!!!

 

[dubbsco]

Yeah some people on mblog are saying its a done deal.

 

[hungry]

Bleacher Report CBB
‏Verified account @br_CBB
39s39 seconds ago

Heat assistant and former Wolverine Juwan Howard is expected to be named Michigan head coach, per @miaheatbeat

I know, I know...Bleacher Report. But still.....

Yeah, the Bleacher Report tweet was at 2pm EST

nothing since.

It's 5pm EST as I post this

 

[biggunsbob]

I’m just not as excited about this as some are. I sure hope we can keep the assistants but I wonder if any will want to stay? Sure hope it works out.

 

[UMRules06]

I'm intrigued more than excited I would say. Will be interesting to see how the style of Michigan basketball changes moving forward if this is true.

 

[dubbsco]

I'm intrigued more than excited I would say. Will be interesting to see how the style of Michigan basketball changes moving forward if this is true.

I would guess it's going to look somewhat the same. Defense is going to be the priority. Beilein was the best M coach in my lifetime, but that offense was AWFUL to watch this last couple seasons; I honestly do not know what the hell happened. Maybe Howard can get them going again offensively.

Recruiting will probably be better. JB had an uncanny ability to pull talent out of kids, but he usually had to do it starting with a deficit. I think Howard is going to be a better recruiter.

The dude is a well-respected man in the coaching circles. He is a lot more exciting that the other REALISTIC names being floated around, Cooley, Smart. I would have been OK with Shaka Smart, but Ed Cooley would have been a disaster. He's done absolutely nothing his entire coaching career.

I got a kick out of the radio yesterday with Valenti saying how they should have found someone better. Who? I always ask those individuals to give me realistic names, and then they backpedal.

 

[thewolverines24]

I'm extremely excited that Howard appears to be our next coach. No matter who we brought in, it was going to be a step back in regards to X's and O's offensively. JB was in a league of his own in that regard, so it's impossible to replicate that.

Howard brings his own set of strengths we should all be happy with. He's a great talent developer, he connects extremely well with players which will likely make him a great recruiter, and he is a great defensive coach. Howard basically runs the Heat's defense and they are one of the most respected defensive teams in the league.

I imagine he's going to be running a pace and space offense you see in the NBA. Spoelstra rolls with that offense and Howard is his top guy, so I expect to see the NBA style offense from a Juwan coached team.

Juwan is also an all-world good dude, so he'll be a phenomenal representative of the program.

 

[thewolverines24]

Offer has officially been made to Howard. Negotiations proceeding now.

Hope this is done by the end of the day. For what it's worth, Juwan's wife tweeted out Go Blue a bit earlier. Seems like they just need to agree on numbers and it's done.