spartoon quinn article on Michigan Basketball culture
https://theathletic.com/5341993/2024/03/15/michigan-basketball-juwan-howard-culture/
A firm was hired to access the culture.
Jett got yelled at.
Culture of fear.
Not much substance.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:08 AM ^
It's a CYA move to remove any biases from the evaluation. Look at MSU's BoT for a recent example. An outside firm looked at all the shenanigans and suggested the Governor remove two of their trustees. Based on their findings, the BoT voted to refer the case to the Gov and now it's in her court.
An outside firm may just give school the legal backing to fire either Manuel or Howard for cause.
March 15th, 2024 at 11:11 AM ^
Probably not in this case. This group appears to be some sort of HR consultancy, not a law firm. It will be very hard to wield whatever they come up with as actionable enough to constitute "Cause".
Leads me to believe that not much weight is being put into the report. If they were serious, they would have hired a law firm. The assessment would be privileged and it would opine on whether the actions constituted a contractual breach or some other breach of Michigan's policies, etc.
March 15th, 2024 at 11:26 AM ^
Similarly, remember that Warde conducted his own climate investigation into Michigan hockey under Pearson that didn't raise the issues that the Wilmer Hale report found, so perhaps having an outside firm do it at least allows people to feel like they can speak a little more freely?
March 15th, 2024 at 11:31 AM ^
I think that's likely the case.
This blog provides opinion on the M basketball culture almost daily, and it's free. Warde could've saved a shit ton of money just by visiting MGoBlog.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:10 AM ^
If he would've done that, he would've fired Beilein, Bakich and Harbaugh. You win some, you lose some.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:23 AM ^
Fair points. But at least he would also be aware that Craig James killed five hookers.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
*allegedly*
March 15th, 2024 at 12:50 PM ^
Warde: Just gonna give Keith Jackson a quick call to see what he's up to, but first, I'm gonna take a quick glance at the MGoMessage board... WHOA NELLY! WHAT!?!?!?!?!!
March 15th, 2024 at 10:09 AM ^
This article actually seems to be pretty reasonable and fair
March 15th, 2024 at 10:17 AM ^
A few new looks under the hood, at this point I am far more inclined to believe Sanderson's point of view than what comes out of the AD/current staff - they are desperately looking for ways to justify inaction. However, there is nothing there that should change the decision that obviously needs to be made! The worst season in UM bball history while on a 3-year downward trend is more than enough data. The unwillingness to make changes (I found it interesting that during JH's post-game presser he said that they were going to sit down as a staff and come up with solutions - is that insinuating he doesn't want to make any assistant/staff changes, AGAIN!) and the hands-off approach (can't confirm its truth, but I heard on one of the UM podcasts last week that JH doesn't have player mandatory workout/conditioning sessions during the week, which is similar to many NBA teams, but is still unbelievable to me) is icing on the cake. Warde needs to get off his ass and do his job, or someone else can do it for him (which honestly would be the far more preferable route at this point), it didn't need to take more than 24 hours (we are now on day 2, with supposedly no decision until Monday). The longer you wait, the longer all the other teams that have already made coaching changes have to work on hiring their next one, leaving you further and further behind.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:18 AM ^
Literally learned nothing new in the article, completely designed to just cause a fanbase to get in further uproar.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
It's a 2fer. Also red meat for rival fan-bases and clicks.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:39 AM ^
For those of us who do not have a subscription, would it be too much to ask for some select quotes or a decent summary at a minimum? A series of terse, somewhat dismissive phrases does not count is not a responsible way to frame the discussion.
March 15th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
Here's a couple. I'll try to limit it so as not to break any guidelines.
That’s why a makeshift meeting room was assembled inside Michigan Stadium last week. There, officials from Rankin Climate, an external firm specializing in organizational “climate assessments,” convened to conduct a probe into the culture of the men’s basketball program. Rankin officials asked some athletic department employees about their experiences in the program, Howard’s leadership and support offered by the athletic department. Those interviewed were told that participation was voluntary, according to multiple university employees granted anonymity because they are not permitted to speak about the investigation.
Sanderson claims Howard approached his son, Jett, visibly angry during a 2022-23 practice and threatened, “I’ll slap the sh– out of you,” adding the incident “sparked a lot of internal conversation.” Sanderson said one coach on staff said he saw Juwan Howard “manhandle” Jett on the side of the court; that coach expressed that he was upset with how Jett was being treated.
A trick is to click the link and do ctrl+a ctrl+c, then paste into a Word doc. Some of these pay sites only activate their guardrails when you scroll. You can get around some paywalls in this way.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:50 AM ^
There wasn't much new in the article, other than the "I'll slap the shit out of you" comment towards Jett. Which surprised me in the best way, because at least it proves Juwan is an equal opportunity jerk.
Look for a "health related" resignation in a few weeks.
Then the monkey rodeo coaching search commences!
March 15th, 2024 at 11:02 AM ^
I have an autograph from Juwan when he was part of the Fab Five. He was always a guy who I liked. It hurts my heart that his departure is necessary. I don’t know what happened. I’m more saddened than angry.
Warde I have far less sympathy for. He is useless. Absolutely useless. First Mel, then the numerous weird hires in football, and now this. How can he keep his job? He is atrocious at overseeing a department. The facts make that clear.
March 15th, 2024 at 11:07 AM ^
So Sanderson's lawyer is the one alleging the "culture of fear", not the consultants. He is paid to do that. Sanderson seems like a piece of work, quite frankly.
March 15th, 2024 at 12:28 PM ^
I don't think we have enough information either way. Sanderson and his camp have certainly documented their perspective in a way that seems like a good balance between professional and self-serving. That said, even taking away that probable bias, it's hard to find a way to read Sanderson's perspective charitably enough to conclude that Juwan should be retained.
March 15th, 2024 at 11:30 AM ^
Looking at the big picture, my bet is these articles being released are a ploy to get Howard to resign with a buyout and give backing to a firing without paying a buyout. My guess is Juwan will have the option to pursue the former, and if not, the latter will occur.
March 15th, 2024 at 11:40 AM ^
I read this less as "stating the obvious" and Warde trying to gather evidence for a for-cause firing.
March 15th, 2024 at 11:43 AM ^
Feels like the school leaked this info because they want an excuse to fire Howard. Good on them if it works.
March 15th, 2024 at 12:21 PM ^
Or they could have just fired him for going 8-24 without dragging him through the mud.
March 15th, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
Not to downplay the allegations in the article, but is this the expose that OSU and MSU fans have been breathlessly waiting for the last week or so? It's serious for Juwan Howard and Warde Manuel, but it does not really register as the massive scandal that they have been talking it up to be unless there is something else there.
March 15th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
Yes, I believe this is the MASSIVE article that was going to reflect poorly on the ENTIRE Michigan athletic department - particularly Hoops, Hockey, and Football and (probably) force the NCAA to expand or reopen the current cases against Michigan.
.
.
.
(wet fart noise)
March 15th, 2024 at 12:14 PM ^
Warde, we all know Beilein resigned off cycle and you made a seemingly great, last minute hire in Howard. But it didn't work out. It's OK. Now get on cycle and hire a better coach.
If Warde does make the move.......
I would suggest doing everything possible to bring back Beilein for a 2-3 year contract -- unless there is a "can't miss coach" on the market.
You could pitch it to John with a clear plan to get a "coach in waiting/training" that he can help select for the latter stages under him. JB could also bring back Yacklich (sp?) so he can re-energize his career after his recent firing.
All these Beilein to Michigan ideas need to stop. He would get eaten alive in this environment. No need to ruin his legacy.
I believe some people have far too high of a threshold for what they consider can't miss. Personally I think someone like Dusty May of FAU would be a great hire for instance, but for some people he doesn't meet their ridiculously high threshold. As others have said there is zero chance JB wants anything to do with college basketball in 2024.
March 15th, 2024 at 12:21 PM ^
won't read, obviously.
I assume MSU fans/"journalists" are taking a victory lap about all of this. Hopefully Izzo doesn't reach the 2nd weekend, which I will enjoy immensely.
As someone only casually interested in MBB (read: when they are good or at least watchable), this article was helpful in summing up the marks against Juwan Howard. It is fairly persuasive the way this is laid out that Howard might have some anger problems and stepping away from coaching for a bit could help him there. It might also be good for his cardiovascular health (not sure if the heart surgery is at all related, but not running quite so hot/intense couldn't hurt).
On the positive side for Howard, the article did include TWill offering an unqualified endorsement of his coach, so if there are culture problems, it's not affecting everyone equally.
The team is not successful right now and the leadership seems shaky--at some point the perception of all that becomes the reality even if Howard is not really to blame for all of the issues. In any event, it seems like the program would be better off in making a change sooner than later.
Guessing this article was commissioned by Warde to make the firing easier.
Um, stupid, ignorant headline… Spartoon?? quinn? Just dumb