Juwan Howard shoots down speculation regarding NBA coaching jobs
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.”
— Juwan Howard (@JuwanHoward) August 24, 2020
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.