In a surprising move, the University of Michigan has announced the termination of Juwan Howard as the men's basketball coach. Howard, a former member of the legendary Fab Five, had been at the helm of the Wolverines for five years. The decision comes after a comprehensive review of the program and a disappointing season for Michigan.

Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel expressed his gratitude towards Howard, stating, "Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant to not only Juwan but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program."

Despite showing dedication and an undeniable love for his alma mater, Howard's tenure was marred by the team's failure to live up to expectations. This season, the Wolverines went 8-24, finishing last in the 14-team Big Ten conference. The team's 24 losses are now the highest in U-M school history, marking a significant downfall from the success of Howard's second season.

In that successful season, Michigan finished atop the Big Ten, secured a No. 1 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the Elite Eight. However, the past two seasons saw the team struggle, resulting in a combined record of 26-40.

Controversies surrounding Howard also contributed to the decision to terminate his contract. In 2022, he was suspended for five games after an incident with a Wisconsin assistant coach. Additionally, earlier this season, Howard engaged in a verbal altercation with former team strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson, leading to Sanderson's departure from the program.

The timing of Howard's firing was unexpected, as sources revealed that his job was under review but a decision was not anticipated until later. An independent firm was hired to review the program's culture during Howard's tenure, further underlying the concerns that led to his dismissal.

The University of Michigan is now faced with the task of finding a new head coach. The Michigan job holds significant prestige in the world of college basketball, and it is expected to attract high-profile candidates. Names to watch out for include Nate Oats from the University of Alabama, Darian DeVries from Drake University, Dusty May from Florida Atlantic University, Amir Abdur-Rahim from the University of South Florida, Jamie Dixon from Texas Christian University, and Mitch Henderson from Princeton University.

While Juwan Howard's legacy as a player remains untouched, his time as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines ended on a disappointing note. The university hopes to find a new coach who can steer the program in a positive direction and bring back the success that has been associated with Michigan basketball.