Juwan Howard didn’t waste any time in shooting down rumors that he could be a candidate for a head coaching position in the NBA. The second-year Michigan head coach fired off a tweet after speculation began circulating.

“There was a report of my name as a potential candidate for NBA coaching opportunities. While I am flattered, and know it will more than likely happen again, I am not exploring, seeking or listening,” Howard said in a statement.

“I am the head coach at the University of Michigan! I am blessed to be working at the greatest university in the world. I am blessed to be guiding a group of wonderful young men. We have goals, dreams and championships to win. This is where my focus is.”

On Monday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Howard’s name is “gaining traction” as a potential candidate for jobs around the NBA. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach on Erik Spoelstra’s staff with the Miami Heat from 2013-19.

Howard replaced John Beilein as the head coach at Michigan following the 2018-19 season, when Beilein took the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, after a rocky start to his coaching career at the highest level, Beilein opted to resign during the NBA All-Star break.

In Howard’s lone season as the head coach at Michigan, the Wolverines finished a 19-12 record, which included a 10-10 mark in the B1G. Michigan was undoubtedly headed to the NCAA Tournament before its cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.