Juwan Howard Praises His Senior Class, Extends 'Open Invitation' To Return
Michigan Wolverines head basketball coach Juwan Howard was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year on Thursday afternoon. He made an acceptance speech and spoke with reporters from his home in Ann Arbor via Zoom after receiving the honor.
After falling to UCLA in the Elite Eight less than 48 hours prior to the press conference. Howard understandably wasn't ready yet to make any announcements regarding which of his players will be returning or leaving (seniors have been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic), or if any coaches will pursue head coaching opportunities or jobs elsewhere.
"I don't think this is the forum right now to start talking about what's going to happen with the program for the future of seniors as well as my staff, because, honestly, it's been less than 48 hours where I've sat down and had an opportunity to think about any of that," Howard said.
"My mind is still been going on about UCLA and what I've could have done better to put our guys in a position to win that ballgame. So I haven't given anything about our roster, nor about what's going to happen with our assistant coaches."
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The Wolverines had nine seniors in total and six that were on scholarship, and they all played a big role in the team's success this season, with the squad winning the regular-season Big Ten title for the first time since 2018 and advancing to the Elite Eight for the fourth time in the last eight NCAA Tournaments.
Guard Eli Brooks, and forwards Isaiah Livers and Austin Davis have been with the program their entire careers (four years for Brooks and Livers, and five years for Davis), helping bridge the gap between the John Beilein era and Howard's tenure, as well as contributing in a big way on the floor.
Fifth-year senior guard Mike Smith and senior guard Chaundee Brown both transferred into the program ahead of this past season and were key pieces as well.
Guards C.J. Baird, Rico Ozuna-Harrison and Luke Wilson, and forward Jaaron Faulds all played key roles on the scout team.
Howard discussed how much the class means to him and the program, and acknowledged that some may return for more next season, at least he hopes so.
"I just want to say like our senior class was amazing," Howard said. "We're truly gonna miss them. I hope they never remember that it was a free year, so if they choose they want to come back, the invitation is open.
"It was fun to coach them, man. I really enjoyed building relationships with Isaiah, Austin Davis, Eli Brooks, also C.J., you know, one of our walk-ons, Rico, Luke. And then you know, you got like Mike and Chaundee.
"You know, they could have easily just not buy in or not trust me me because of being a first time head coach last year. But when you have a guy like [former guard] Zavier Simpson, and also [former center] Jon Teske, who were great leaders. ... And they saw that the two of them trusted me. Because I feel like I wanted to earn their trust.
"Our players knew coming in that I came in with a selfless attitude, willing to learn from them, and grow with them, and do whatever I can to help them become the best version of themselves and student athletes. And they saw that it was raw and real. That's where you know, the beauty of coaching now allow me to be able to do my job.
"Our seniors were great leaders, teaching a lot of the younger guys like our underclassmen on what it's like to navigate to college life. Now, you know, how come we have a younger group coming in next year, the culture, it is what it is.
"Like I've always said, you know, we're in Michigan and with our culture that we're not for everyone. And so while saying all that, you know, our seniors understands that our culture cannot be broken in any type of way. And they're gonna be the great examples of coming back and letting the younger guys know, you know what it's like to be a part of the University of Michigan culture. And so I'm just forever in debt to our seniors."
Decisions will likely be made in the weeks to come, including the likes of sophomore wing Franz Wagner, who is projected to be a lottery pick in this upcoming July's NBA Draft.
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