On Sunday afternoon, Michigan not only lost their game against Wisconsin but they may also lose head coach Juwan Howard for a period of time after he lost his cool during the post-game handshake line.
In case you missed it, Howard seemed to say something to Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard as he tried to walk past him without shaking hands but Gard stopped him and the two exchanged words.
This is when a Wisconsin assistant coach put his hands on multiple Wolverines players in front of Howard and Howard retaliated by going after him with was some are calling a punch, slap, or grab. (If you are being honest with yourself, it was not a punch and it almost looks like Howard was trying to grab him.)
Juwan Howard throws a punch. pic.twitter.com/HiC3y7yKvG
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 20, 2022
Now, the question is, for how long will Howard be suspended?
Well, according to Brian Hamilton, who is a writer for The Athletic, Howard should be fired.
Following the altercation, Hamilton posted a long article bashing Howard and saying that “when Juwan Howard wants to grow up, then maybe Michigan considers letting him back in the building.”
Here is some of what Hamilton wrote:
From The Athletic:
Juwan Howard probably won’t be fired for what he did Sunday. Because he’s Juwan Howard, and because of what Juwan Howard’s name means to Michigan athletics in general, and because bureaucrats who run athletic departments and universities don’t like to make really hard decisions. Especially not in the cases of very popular head coaches whose programs win and bring millions of dollars into the mix. We usually get a lot of creative deflection and excuse-making in these scenarios. Maybe a cynical play to the emotions of the fan base. Semantics and lawyering, but not a severance package.
But Juwan Howard absolutely should be fired for what he did and said Sunday, if only because he doesn’t seem to grasp that the head men’s basketball coach at Michigan shouldn’t act like a child. Emotions run high in February, everywhere. Things are said and done, and competitive people get really mad about them, just about every game. But Michigan’s coach is the one who throws a tantrum after someone grabs his arm and says mean words. Who takes two steps back before reengaging an escalating situation by taking a swing at an opposing coach’s face, who instigates a brawl, who has to be restrained by a police officer and subsequently has the gall to brush off embarrassing himself, his program and his employer by claiming self-defense.
When Juwan Howard wants to grow up, then maybe Michigan considers letting him back in the building.
In my opinion, there is no chance in hell that Howard is fired and I don’t believe his suspension should be any longer than the Wisconsin assistant who put his hands on at least two college athletes from Michigan.
Nation, do you agree with Hamilton? Should Juwan Howard be fired? How long should be suspended?
Howard. Idiots act like idiots! Not just some of the time but all of the time. His intent was to cause trouble, look at the video. He acted inappropriately as soon as the game was over.
The question that MI, needs to address is what punishment is forthcoming? Big Ten rules are something like $10,000 and two game suspension. They can agree and move on. I am not a lover of MI University in any shape or manner. You only need to look at the cover up of sex assault on football players under schembeckler. Another idiot coach. So I suspect MI will do nothing. Go along with the NCAA sanctions and move on. Howard will do it again, again, and again. MICHIGAN ” Let’s go Biden!!!”
Maybe you should actually watch the video.. the Wisconsin coach is the one who initiated physical contact. What happened after that is the result . Both programs need some discipline in the form of suspension or firing. But I do agree most of the fault lies with Howard in the situation. It would’ve been better if he had just walked off the court to the locker room.
HE SHOULD BE FIRED. Cmon guys he said last year im going to ffff kill you? He has problems and should not be a head coach anywhere. Basketball rules allow time outs and pressing your starters against second stringers. Those are legal actions. What is not good sportsmanship is pulling down your mask and saying im going to remember this shit and than grabbing wisconsin coaches pullover with a fist. Im glad they seperated everybody and than he went after wi asst coach with whatever punch scrap that is. the no remorse is the biggest issue. I think that says it all. He condones that behavior as a coach. Should be done. Does anyone know of a college coach that ever threw a punch at an opposing coach and the result of that? over time outs? Not even Bobby Knight went that far? Not even Woody Hayes. I think people are making excuses for him “brother”comments. and he’s from the south side. Nope your not mature enough or can control your actions enough. DONE
And if a high school coach did this ..? what if he connected that punch and actually hurt Wisc coach. Actions speak louder than words. Lead by example and be a leader of men. Doesn’t even have the decency to apologize for the situation that occurred because of these actions. YoURE FIRED!
It’s a handshake line, Gard did what all coaches do—he touched (“grabbed,” if you insist) Howard on the opposite elbow.
Nothing, even the Wis asst “touching” UM players justifies a swing and contact.
He should be fired, but won’t be.
Fire him
History of inability to communicate w/o being violent. Setting terrible ex to youth on team and those watching. More then he should be fired. Players kicked off or suspended. Woody Hayes was fired by a.m. next day
He should lose his job.
He should be fired. Full stop.
Juwan Howard is a thug & will be glorified by his actions by thugs. See article for further evidence.
Juwan Howard should be fired by Michigan. He may have been a good player but he is not a good leader of the University of Michigan basketball program. He is a total embarrassment to the school and the Athletic Department at U of M.
He should be fired! No excuse for his embarrassing actions. He is a terrible example to everyone!! FIRE HIM NOW!
You state in your Article that “(If you are being honest with yourself, it was not a punch and it almost looks like Howard was trying to grab him.)” Seriously! Try being honest with yourself.
The video clearly shows Howard’s throwing a punch with a clenched right hand. He then starts stepping back away from the person he just punched. You don’t try to grab someone on the left side of their face/head and then retreat!
As far as the Wisconsin assistant coach putting his hands on Michigan players, everyone in that skirmish was putting their hands on one another, including the players on the assistant coach. So would that justify the assistant coach taking a swing at the players? Of course not.
If Michigan keeps Howard then they are endorsing his actions and it is only going to get worse.
What are You Brady a 3 year old? The Videos are Clear. You can try your Pretzel logic but you’ll never alter the Videos or the Threats Howard has made to others in the past. Makes no difference how long you Roll Your Dog Poo in Powdered Sugar You’ll Never have a Jelly Doughnut. It’s Time to Fire Howard. How do You keep a Job?
Michigan should be embarrassed and Howard should be fired. Period!
Other than the UFC and WWE, there are no jobs that allow you to keep your job after you hit someone else in the face. He should be fired ASAP if Michigan has any integrity as one of the premier academic and athletic institutions on Earth.
He made a mistake.
I am a 76 year old Vietnam Veteran
who has made many mistakes in life.
He is human don’t crucify him.