Whether you like it or not (most of you seem to like it), Juwan Howard is replacing John Beilein as head coach of the University of Michigan Men’s basketball team.
Nobody expects Howard to fill Beilein’s shoes as Beilein is clearly the best basketball coach the Wolverines have ever had.
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That being said, according to former Michigan and current Miami Heat player Duncan Robinson, Howard and Beilein have differences but they also share a common strength when it comes to coaching.
From Detroit Free Press:
“I think one common thread that they have, they’re really good people who care about their players, quite honestly, and always put their players first,” Robinson said, “and understand that, yeah, winning basketball games is really important, but what matters most is how you develop these young kids both on and off the court.”
Robinson described Howard as a “relationship-first” coach.
“He’s just the type of guy you want to play for, want to play hard for,” Robinson said. “He makes an effort to reach out and connect and be more than just somebody that can teach and coach you in basketball but instead someone that you feel you have a genuine relationship with.
“A lot of times in coaching, that’s more than half the battle, to get people that are willing to buy in because they trust you and understand that you’re genuine in your motivations.”
