Juwan Howard: The Leader and the Best
I'm not sure how this isn't seen as the best possible outcome a'la HARBAUGH. Seriously.
Your recruiting concerns are silly as he not only was a former top tier recruit (some things you don't know, unless you know, and knows.) but also has been a parent in the Div 1 recruiting process. The only role he hasn't played in the recruiting process kitchen table conversation is the HC. About time.
He was in consideration to become a HC for an NBA team. That shows trust in organizational management skills. Full stop.
Documented that he develops bigs.
The cell phone numbers of literally the greatest basketball players on the planet. Like, personal relationships.
Will bring the Fab Five. (Doesn't matter if you don't want it, still additional value)
He has a degree from the University of Michigan.
In conclusion, consigliere really pissed me off. F*ck whoever said that sh*t.
Thanks Warde, excellent hire!
OUTSTANDING first press conference JH.
Go Blue.
I’m all in too, LETS GO BLUE!
Shit can we hire Warde as recruiting director? Dude is going off.
Howard definitely deserved it. He has worked his tail off after his days were done as a player. Hope he has enormous success here.
I think Juwan will do well and is a good hire, but this isn't news. Brady Hoke had an amazing press conference too. Dave Brandon has a Michigan degree too. Beilein had neither of those things and was the best basketball coach in our history. I think Juwan was probably the best hire of the people who agreed to take the job given the timing, but there's going to be growing pains
Best intro to a press conference by a coach I've ever watched.
Hoke's presser was very "dream job" emotional too but Hoke just didn't sound all that intelligent. Too much "THIS IS MICHIGAN" pomposity. Harbaugh's presser was fine but his quirkiness (e.g. blank stares, cryptic answers) gave me some pause about his state of mind and exactly what we were getting.
I thought Juwan's remarks were intelligent and his genuineness is impossible to deny. I also appreciated the thoughtful and sincere "thank you's" he gave out. His humbleness and confidence, especially as it relates to carrying on UM's culture and tradition, warmed the cockles of my heart. I went to school at UM at the same time as Juwan and had some interactions with him. He seemed like a good guy but this presser turned me into a superfan of Juwan.
Only nitpick is that in addition to talking about what the job means to him, I would have also liked him to talk about his vision for the team in the opening remarks. He did get to it in the Q&A a bit ("continue this winning tradition...being a mentor to young men, etc") but would love to hear his thoughts about whether Michigan could ever enter into the elite circle of college basketball: Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas. Or at least some mention that he was also there to lead the program to championships. (Recall, Hoke intentionally set the goal at "Big 10 Championships" at his presser when asked about whether Natty's were the bar.)
Less impressed with Warde Manual.
Anyway, let the Juwan Howard era begin!!!! After hearing that presser, there's no one I could wish more success to as our head coach than Juwan Howard!
I thought in the beginning Howard said he came back to win a championship? After the anecdote about feeling like he had let his teammates down when he went pro because they hadn't accomplished that goal.
I thought Warde was eh in the introductions but great in the Q&A after Howard spoke.
I was thinking he was going there too, about unfinished business and winning a championship this time around, but if he said that exactly, then I missed it. I thought he just said he felt like he let his teammates down for leaving before they won a championship. I'll have to watch it again. I hope you're right!
EDIT: Just watched it again. The relevant dialogue begins at 23:30 of the video on mgoblue.com. He doesn't explicitly say he's there to win the championship he didn't as a player but it certainly could be implied.
JH: "Last time I had a press conference in this building was 1994. I declared I was going to the NBA. Felt like I was letting down my teammates, because I didn't do what I came here to do. And that was to bring a championship to this University. A University I cared so much about. I guess you can see that now, huh? (wipes away tears) Now let's fast forward 25 years later. I'm back! I'm back to help continue this Michigan tradition. I'm back to continue this beautiful culture that has been instilled here before me and whenever that day come, after me. My grandmother, she's so proud right now. My best friend (LJC) is so proud right now...., etc)"
I think he meant to say that at the least.
I may have completed his sentence in my head given that was the obvious next thing to say and he was trailing off quite a bit in the beginning (understandable given how swept up he was in his emotions).
Downvoted for "natty," and I'd downvote again for the incorrect use of 's, if I could. ;)
Michigan is an elite basketball program already. If you don't count the vacated appearances, Michigan is tied for 10th all time in Final Four appearances. If you do count them, they're tied for ninth.
The only reason that Michigan doesn't get more recognition as a powerhouse is the 1-6 record in NCAA championship games. That's a problem a lot of teams would love to have.
Meh. I don't think people by and large put Michigan in the same category as Duke, UNC, Kansas and Kentucky, the programs I specifically mentioned.
Granted this is Bleacher Report, but Michigan doesn't even make the Honorable Mention.
But you can also downvote me all you want for the use of Natty. Not a big fan of the word either but was just quicker to type. :-)
Michigan is not a top-5 program, but they are a top-10 program; BR be damned. :)
Can they achieve top-5 status? They seemed to be on their way. Here's hoping Howard can maintain the momentum.
I was thinking the same thing.
Hoke's presser was mostly just "rah rah This is Michigan rah rah...we'll be great because MICHIGAN!"
Whereas Juwan's presser was him acknowledging his lack of experience but also his endeavor to learn everything he can to be the best coach that he can and to put the players in the best possible position to succeed on and off the court. Very intelligent in his remarks and I really appreciated his honesty about how he would go about building the team and his vision, etc.
Hoke just looked like we hired Fred Flintstone to perform a job that was WAY over his head.
I'm all aboard the Juwan train and am excited / curious to see what the offense will look like under him. He seems like a perfect fit for the job too. Congrats to him and his family. Also, great presser by him and by Warde. Loved Warde's answer and approach.
I agree 100% with the OP. I love the Juwan hire. Normally, this shouldn't be it's own thread, but there is a little unwarranted negativity around the hire, so +1 OP!
Best moment of the presser: he named his dog “Blue”.
Outfuckin'standing..... welcome home Juwan!
"You're my boy Blue!"
Yeah, I think this thread was created out of pure emotion and reaction to Howards tears and passion - which don't get me wrong, I loved and obviously root for his success - however, I completely disagree with your take. I thought the press conference was really bad. Howard came across very unprepared and Hoke-like. Specifically, his response to his basketball philosophy and his lack of experience were galling. How can you build something if you don't have a clear vision for what you want? He should have been able to say anything better than what he actually said. Beyond that, Warde being belligerent about valid criticism and stating that we need to let Howard grow into the position (which we have no other choice now) and saying that Howard had to start somewhere... for real?? This is Michigan and you don't grow into this type of position! It's a top 15 program that has had great success - this isn't a mid-major!
Using Warde's hiring criteria, which he restated at this conference, Yaklich would have been much more qualified and more respected for the position. According to Warde, Howards love and passion convinced him that he was the right man for the job... well hell, I could find 110,000 candidates on any given fall Saturday who'd love to coach Michigan Football then.
Best of luck to Coach Howard. I'm rooting for the program, for the University - but I will not drink the Kool-Aid and sell myself lies.
I appreciate your perspective. I loved Juwan's emotion though! Michigan IS special!
Regarding basketball philosophies, I am sure Juwan has certain absolutes, and it would have been nice if he would have shared more of them, but I think he is going to process the input he gets from his staff before saying in more depth that this is how we are going to play. It also seems like he wants to let the players have some input. Not that they would have the final say, but his approach may be more collaborative than other coaches. If they feel included in the process, this might help the team buy-in even more.
I agree with you. I was excited to see this presser but he sounded very unprepared. No recruiting philosophy, doesn't know recruiting rules. This is an experiment - no doubt about that.
I love his passion like everyone else but passion does not equate to skill. I hope his passion and charisma can fuel success.but I am more worried after seeing the presser.
This above is as accurate a statement as I have read -unsure if it was he was just overwhelmed emotionally with the moment, which is understandable.
Probably the best hire Michigan could have made considering they were going to pay Rutgers type money.
What? They should have tried to hire Steve Pikiell?
I watched that press conference and loved every second of it. Pure U of Michigan. I just pray to all that is holy that this doesn’t end ala Brady Hoke.
who's got it better than us???