Sanderson not working with BBall team, still working at UM per MLive

Submitted by Wally Llama on January 17th, 2024 at 11:21 AM

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2024/01/what-happened-to-long-time-coach-key-contributor-to-michigan-basketball.html?utm_campaign=wolverines_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3qTGbnY_7K-6T0yovExTKbdjunk8yXveJ-eTHBUJ_rNZ3PMvFxVDXf2vk

Interesting portions:

...Sanderson...has not worked with the team since a reported dispute with head coach Juwan Howard in early December.

A source told MLive that Sanderson was still employed but had been reassigned within the athletic department, perhaps working with other athletes at the school.

Doug Gnodtke, an executive associate athletic director and the department’s chief of staff...would only confirm that Sanderson was still employed and added that his situation “would be worked out soon.” 

The article contains more background that's already been covered here as well as complaints about UM's transparency on this issue, including athletic staff members being told.not to talk to media and UM's glacially slow and painful FOIA responses.

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MGoLow

January 17th, 2024 at 11:26 AM ^

Man, such a cluster. If it was just the losing, I would say give Juwan another year or 2. But the off-the-court nonsense combined with the losing is too much. 

Joined: 02/06/2013

MGoPoints: 2217

NeverPunt

January 17th, 2024 at 11:58 AM ^

I would say we could even get past this shit if things seemed to progress? If the team looked better by end of year than it did in the beginning? If players seemed to get better? If we lost some close games and then started winning close games?

Either way, if Juwan stays or goes, need to overhaul everything top to bottom.

Joined: 03/26/2019

MGoPoints: 41187

maizedNblued

January 17th, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^

Understood but if players even sense the slightest hint of self-doubt or lack of confidence in a Head Coach AND that same Head Coach is hyper aggressive and lacks knowledge in certain key areas - the climate will slowly start to diminish and that is exactly what we are seeing. Sadly, I do not see this getting any better - I see it getting worse.

Joined: 11/25/2009

MGoPoints: 2137

BKBlue94

January 17th, 2024 at 1:42 PM ^

I was a big fan at first, but even just the losing has me ready to move on from Howard at this point. This is his third year where the team doesn't meet expectations, it looks like things are moving in the wrong direction, and coaching related things like defense and end of game play are the worst aspects of the team.

Joined: 12/22/2021

MGoPoints: 4738

Teddy Bonkers

January 17th, 2024 at 4:45 PM ^

The losing by itself is probably enough to make want to go in a new direction, the only thing that gives me a little bit of pause is the medical issues Howard has had this year, but the team has been trending down prior to this year.

The off court / court side drama just seals the deal. He's probably lucky so much of the fan base is willing to ignore basketball this season and enjoy reliving the football season.

Howard might be benefiting from people drawing a false parallel between Howard's coaching and Jim H during the COVID season. Jim has a long history to suggest that was an outlier. 

Joined: 03/08/2018

MGoPoints: 3792

mackbru

January 17th, 2024 at 11:28 PM ^

The same people calling for Warde’s scalp today are the ones who demanded he hire Juwan. He hired Juwan and oversaw a football program that just won a title and beat Ohio 3 straight times — with a coach he kept on despite widespread calls for his firing. The athletic dept. is in great shape. But some fans are just whiny bitches. 

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 34136

Blinkin

January 17th, 2024 at 12:05 PM ^

I agree that this is the bigger Warde referendum.  I've reached the opinion that Harbaugh is going to do whatever he wants, that there's no "perfect" contract Warde could put in front of him right now that would end his NFL job search today.  

Juwan/MBB is another matter.  This is a much trickier proposition.  Do you part ways with a coach who is a beloved alum, but struggling?  If you do, who do you have in mind to replace him?  

Joined: 08/17/2022

MGoPoints: 28225

maizedNblued

January 17th, 2024 at 7:38 PM ^

This guy……

Dear Stan,

I am sorry that your idol, friend, Coach or all three has not worked out….I truly am. Much like Brady Hoke, it was a sloppy emotional hire. I wanted him to succeed, you obviously want him to succeed, everyone in the land of Michigan wanted him to succeed. Unfortunately, he has not and sometimes, with clear objective thought, you must be able to cut your losses and arrive at this honest evaluation. It may be difficult but I believe you can do it. 
 

And in all honesty because I’m a decent guy - I hope we win the rest of our games and I have to eat my words - that’s how genuine I am. 
 

 

Joined: 11/25/2009

MGoPoints: 2137

DetroitBlue

January 17th, 2024 at 11:33 AM ^

Losing is one thing, but the team seems to perform at a level significantly below the sum of its parts, and has for at least 2-3 seasons now. When you add in the threats to MD’s coach, the slap (since that Wisky coach started it by putting hands on TWill, i’d give this more of a pass if it was the only incident) ,and now this, it seems like it’s time to move on. 

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 30312

Champeen

January 17th, 2024 at 2:43 PM ^

There was a missed head-butt on a ref during a TV timeout vs Maryland at home a few years back (Danny Manning was coaching Maryland).  Only people that would have seen this were those at the game.  And i was in one of the best 16 seats in Crisler (those familiar with the building would know where those seats are).  Spit was coming out of his mouth as the referee walked away, right before the head-butt attempt.

Joined: 04/07/2011

MGoPoints: 14961