Michigan Wolverines coach Juwan Howard undergoes heart surgery. Who’s taking over in his absence?
When it comes to matters of health, sport has to take a back seat. The Wolverines coach recently underwent a heart procedure. The good news? He’s fine.
A former star of the program and the present head coach, the two-time NBA champion has had an impressive effect on the Wolverines since his arrival. Needless to say, his presence will be missed, but the team can count on the services of a very solid stand-in.
Michigan’s Juwan Howard undergoes heart surgery
According to an announcement from the school on Friday, University of Michigan coach Juwan Howard successfully underwent a heart procedure to resect an aortic aneurysm, and to repair his aortic valve. It is understood that Howard is expected to make a full recovery within six to 12 weeks, meaning he could be courtside as soon as a month from now. Should that be the case, it would mean the AP 2021 Coach of the Year would be with the Wolverines for the start of the 2023-24 season on November 3rd. As per the school’s statement, Wolverines associate coach Phil Martelli will lead the program in the interim.
“I feel so grateful and blessed that this surgery was performed at the University of Michigan Health,” Howard said in a statement. “My wife, Jenine, and our family appreciate the world-class care that has been provided to us. Dr. (Kim) Eagle, Dr. (Himanshu) Patel, Dr. (Stanley) Chetcuti, and all of the staff at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center are so talented and performed like champions throughout this process. I am going to work very hard in my rehabilitation to be stronger than ever by the time our upcoming season is upon us.”
Juwan Howard is a tough act to follow, but Phil Martelli can
From his arrival in 2019 to the present, Howard has spearheaded a 79-48 record at the school and has been to the NCAA Tournament on two occasions. Of course long before he was coach of the program and even before his glittering NBA career, Howard had already etched his name into the Wolverines’ history. A key part of the “Fab Five” during the 1991-92 season. Howard, along with Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson, produced a level of basketball that forced the college game to rethink how freshmen could be utilized in the country’s top programs. This of course brings us to Martelli.
A Naismith Coach of the Year (2004), Phil Martelli is as seasoned as they come. The former longtime St. Joseph’s head coach has won countless honors and has been to several college tournaments. Martelli joined Michigan’s staff in 2019 following his departure from the Hawks program. In his career, he has amassed a record of 444-328 career with seven NCAA Tournament appearances along the way. Ultimately it’s clear that Howard’s presence will be missed while he recovers. Yet, it’s got to be said, the Wolverines are in good hands.