Michigan Announces Suspension of Juwan Howard

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines looks on before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Crisler Arena on February 10, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The University of Michigan has announced the suspension of head men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard. Howard struck a Wisconsin coaching staff member in the head following the post-game handshake this weekend.

Tensions between Wisconsin and Howard started brewing in the last minute of the Badger’s 77-63 win. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard called timeout with 15 seconds remaining and his team up by a huge margin.

When Howard and Gard met in the handshake line after the game, Howard referenced the timeout and told him “I’ll remember that”. Gard’s response was to grab Howard’s arm and try to explain his reasoning. The two continued to exchange words, during which Howard grabbed Gard’s shirt and even pointed in his face.

Players and coaches from both programs stepped in to try and separate the two men to help dissolve the situation. Howard then returned for more choice words and struck Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft in the head with his open palm.

During the post-game interview’s Gard said he called for the timeout because his players were struggling with Michigan’s press defense in the half-court. Howard responded during his interview by saying he didn’t buy the excuse, and that he felt it “wasn’t fair to our guys.”

Howard will be suspended for the remaining 5 games of Michigan’s regular season. There is no word on his availability following those 5 games at this time.

Multiple other punishments have been levied against participants by the NCAA as well. Howard was additionally fined $40,000, and two Michigan forwards were each suspended one game for their involvement. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard was not suspended but was fined $10,000.