Michigan
Juwan Howard opens up on his journey to returning as Michigan's head coach
Juwan Howard Talks Return As Head Coach, Jon Sanderson Status, Michigan Basketball Win OveR EMU
On Saturday, Juwan Howard made his return as Michigan’s head coach. The Wolverines celebrated his return with an 83-66 win over Eastern Michigan.
It’s been a grueling path back to the sidelines for Howard. The 50-year-old head coach underwent a heart procedure in September, when doctors successfully resected an aortic aneurysm and repaired Howard’s aortic valve. After Michigan’s win on Saturday, Howard opened up on his road to recovery.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Howard said. “I have to thank God first, also giving a big, big shout-out to University of Michigan Medical, my doctors, Dr. Patel and his crew, the nurses … there have been so many beautiful nurses that have worked with me during my recovery.
“I’d also like to thank my wife [Jenine] — that’s the best nurse I have. And I didn’t know that she went to medical school, but she was with me from the first day, all day. Having my wife with me … such a beautiful moment having her support.”
Assistant coach Phil Martelli served as the program’s interim head coach during Howard’s absence. While under Martelli, Michigan went 5-5 overall (1-1 in the Big Ten) following a 3-0 start. Howard will aim to place the Wolverines back on the fast track to success.
Howard boasts an 80-48 record while serving as the Michigan head coach. The 2020-21 campaign was his best yet. The team finished with a 23-5 record and reached the Elite Eight. With his life in the balance, Howard was motivated by basketball.
Juwan Howard reveals his motivation to return
“I remember the times when I was sitting in my hospital room and just thinking, ‘would I ever have that opportunity ever again?’” Howard recalled. “You just never know. I had so many people supporting me, and I never second guessed that. But that’s what got me through the process. It really did.
“Being away, I got a chance to reflect late at night. You’re talking 3, 4, 5 in the morning, when you guys are probably asleep and I’m awake and I’m listening to the heart monitor beeping, and there are medical professionals coming in my room and they’re doing their job taking vital signs. Now it’s taking me some time to get back to sleep, but one of the things I think about is basketball. It never leaves my mind.”
Howard will have plenty of opportunities to put his thoughts on the hardwood this season. On Tuesday, Michigan will square off against Florida at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Michigan Wolverines got their quarterback in the 2025 cycle when they flipped Bryce Underwood from LSU. They recently secured their top quarterback target in the 2026 class with top 100 signal caller Brady Smigiel committing to the maize and blue. Looking forward to the 2027 class, Michigan has placed themselves in the driver’s seat for the top-rated quarterback in that class as well.
Kavian Bryant is the No. 42 ranked overall recruit in the ’27 class but is the No. 1 overall rated quarterback in the class.As the top QB in the class, Bryant will likely continue to rise in the recruiting rankings in the coming months.
For Michigan, Bryant is the top quarterback on the board and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey recently went to visit the star QB to continue building their relationship. Bryant had this to say about Michigan after a recent visit.
“Michigan has a lot of good qualities, the education, the facilities, The Big House. It was an eye opener.”
– 2027 top ranked QB Kavian Bryant
Education is clearly important to Bryant; he currently carries a 4.6 GPA in high school. Not many schools can offer the athletic program to match an elite education like the University of Michigan can. Bryant is a solid two sport athlete with D1 offers in basketball as well. He has expressed interest in playing both football and basketball at the next level. Again, not many universities can offer a top tier football and basketball program like Michigan can.
Currently the Wolverines have a 50% prediction for landing Bryant, but there is a ton of recruiting left in this battle. It remains to be seen if Michigan can close the deal and land their third straight elite quarterback.
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
More Michigan News:
Social media reacts to Michigan football landing TE Mason Bonner
Michigan football: Bryce Underwood labeled a top-25 QB before taking a college football snap
Michigan football gains prediction to land another offensive weapon following commitment of 4-star TE Matt Ludwig
For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @WingedHelmetMedia
- Follow us on Facebook: @TheWingedHelmet
- Follow us on Twitter: @TWH_chris | @TrentKnoop | @JerredJohnso
A four-star receiver out of Texas, Zion Robinson has moved his official visit up from June 13th to May 30th. Robinson is an elite athlete, coming in at 6-foot-4 and weighing 180-pounds. He’s a tough cover with a great catch radius, the type of long, lanky, and speedy receiver that offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has been targeting since getting to Ann Arbor.
Robinson is ranked as the 135th overall recruit for 2026 in composite ratings. Some recruiting sites have him slotted as high as 72nd overall. In addition to being an elite football player, Robinson is also a state champion track star. He won the Texas high jump last year with an amazing 6-foot-8 leap. That athleticism will make him a tough cover on the football field and jump balls in the end zone will certainly tip in his favor with that leaping ability.
Robinson made a visit to Michigan for the spring game and was seen talking to fellow Texas receiver Andrew Marsh after the game. Michigan is in the thick of this race and it is a huge plus that Robinson has moved his date up. Right now, there are no crystal balls for Robinson and he’s keeping his recruitment very private. It feels like Michigan could snag this talented young man if they play their cards right and win his team over on May 30th.
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
More Michigan News:
Michigan football gains prediction to land another offensive weapon following commitment of 4-star TE Matt Ludwig
ESPN lumps Michigan football, Ohio State, and Notre Dame into same tier for QB play
Social media erupts following Michigan football gaining TE commitment Matt Ludwig
For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @WingedHelmetMedia
- Follow us on Facebook: @TheWingedHelmet
- Follow us on Twitter: @TWH_chris | @TrentKnoop | @JerredJohnson
A 54-year-old Michigan man accused of beating his roommate to death over a year ago pleaded no contest to manslaughter.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Mark Joseph Newsome, of Roseville, was living in a group home on Jan. 31, 2024, when he got into an altercation with his roommate, 72-year-old Dale Francis Mitchell. Prosecutors say another person witnessed the fight and called police.
Responding officers found Mitchell unconscious and bleeding on the floor. The Roseville Fire Department was also called to the home and attempted lifesaving measures; however, Mitchell was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to a news release.
Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Police arrested Newsome and initially charged him with second-degree murder. On Tuesday, he pleaded no contest to manslaughter, which comes with a five to 15-year sentence agreement.
“Mr. Mitchell’s life was cut short in the very dwelling that should have been his safe place. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office stands as the voice of the victim to achieve justice for this horrible act by Mr. Newsome,” said Prosecutor Pete Lucido in a statement. “Conflicts between individuals should never be settled by violence.”
Sentencing is set for June 24.
Fired Copyright Office head sues Trump administration over removal
Video: Judge Blocks Trump Move to Ban Foreign Students at Harvard
The Verge’s 2025 graduation gift guide
Satellite images reveal North Korea's mangled naval destroyer after failed launch
Trump administration plans to overhaul National Security Council, weeks after Waltz’s departure
-
Culture1 week agoBook Review: ‘Original Sin,’ by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Opinion | We Study Fascism, and We’re Leaving the U.S.
-
News1 week agoAs Harvard Battles Trump, Its President Will Take a 25% Pay Cut
-
Technology1 week agoLove, Death, and Robots keeps a good thing going in volume 4
-
News1 week agoMenendez Brothers Resentenced to Life With Parole, Paving Way for Freedom
-
Politics1 week agoRepublicans say they're 'out of the loop' on Trump's $400M Qatari plane deal
-
Culture1 week agoBook Review: ‘Hunger Like a Thirst,’ by Besha Rodell
-
Technology1 week agoMeta asks judge to throw out antitrust case mid-trial