Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard under probe amid altercation rumours

Another Michigan coach is currently under investigation, with reports indicating that Wolverines basketball coach Juwan Howard had a confrontation with a strength and conditioning coach. The investigation is being conducted by an entity independent of the school's athletic department, following proper school procedures. Despite rumors circulating about Howard stepping down, he remains the head coach, according to The Athletic's Brendan Quinn.

Speculation intensified when a fake Twitter account (@JomRothstein, impersonating college hoops insider Jon Rothstein) falsely claimed that Howard was stepping down, with assistant coach Phil Martelli taking over as the interim coach. The tweet also suggested that Howard would continue as an assistant coach. Although Martelli has been acting as head coach during Howard's recovery from a heart procedure, Howard is still present on the bench.

Subsequent rumors hinted at a potential fistfight involving Howard within the program, which could have significant repercussions, especially considering Howard's previous suspension for a handshake line incident with Wisconsin coach Greg Gard in 2022.


“Howard remains under a zero-tolerance policy instituted by U-M after striking a Wisconsin assistant coach in February 2022,” Quinn tweeted.

While not escalating to a fistfight, Howard did engage in an altercation that has been brought to attention and flagged for investigation.

“A confrontation between Howard and longtime U-M strength and condition coach Jon Sanderson in a team practice late last week is being explored and going through a university review process,” Quinn reported. “It is university procedure for such a review to be conducted outside the athletic department.

“Multiple sources say claims of punches being thrown in the aforementioned altercation are inaccurate.

“Sanderson did not travel to Iowa with the team for Michigan’s game at Iowa today. … According to a university source, Sanderson currently remains part of the program.”

Former "Fab Five" teammate Jalen Rose swiftly came to Howard's defense, coinciding with the time when Quinn shared his report on Twitter.

“.@JuwanHoward did not & is not stepping down as HC. He is enthusiastically hoping to return Dec 16th. Juwan is literally recovering from OPEN HEART SURGERY done Sept 15th. HAIL!!!!!” Rose tweeted.

Michigan (5-5) secured a victory against Iowa on Sunday, marking an improvement to 1-1 in Big Ten play in the midst of a generally disappointing start to the season.

The Wolverines are scheduled to play their next game at home against Eastern Michigan on Saturday. There's potential for Howard to resume his role as head coach, contingent on the accuracy of Rose's statement.