8A — Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Sports
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

ALEC COHEN / DAILY | DESIGN BY JACK SILBERMAN

Juwan Howard’s new job came with a new 
Juwan Howard’s new job came with a new 

office.
office.

As the calendar flipped to June 2019, he began 
As the calendar flipped to June 2019, he began 

moving cardboard boxes en masse into an office 
moving cardboard boxes en masse into an office 

left vacant by former Michigan coach John 
left vacant by former Michigan coach John 

Beilein’s abrupt exit a month earlier. Arms full, 
Beilein’s abrupt exit a month earlier. Arms full, 

he walked down the second-floor corridor of the 
he walked down the second-floor corridor of the 

Player Development Center, hauling the boxes 
Player Development Center, hauling the boxes 

beyond the team film lounge, resource room and 
beyond the team film lounge, resource room and 

assistant coaches’ offices.
assistant coaches’ offices.

He carried them past every door until 
He carried them past every door until 

reaching the last one on the left, which opens 
reaching the last one on the left, which opens 

to a corner office. The process of unpacking 
to a corner office. The process of unpacking 

still isn’t finished, but nine months after his 
still isn’t finished, but nine months after his 

hiring, everything about the room has taken on a 
hiring, everything about the room has taken on a 

personal complexion.
personal complexion.

That is, everything but the desk.
That is, everything but the desk.

It’s the same wooden desk Beilein used, with 
It’s the same wooden desk Beilein used, with 

one small modification. At 6-foot-9, Howard 
one small modification. At 6-foot-9, Howard 

stands nearly a foot taller than his predecessor. 
stands nearly a foot taller than his predecessor. 

His knees didn’t comfortably fit beneath the 
His knees didn’t comfortably fit beneath the 

desk, so he ordered a set of two-inch risers for 
desk, so he ordered a set of two-inch risers for 

the bottom.
the bottom.

Even still, Howard’s own bobblehead — 
Even still, Howard’s own bobblehead — 

usually perched on the edge of the desk — 
usually perched on the edge of the desk — 

violently nods when his knees inadvertently 
violently nods when his knees inadvertently 

jostle the underside. The desk chair was a tight 
jostle the underside. The desk chair was a tight 

squeeze, too, so he bought a bigger one.
squeeze, too, so he bought a bigger one.

Behind the desk, the back wall is glazed with 
Behind the desk, the back wall is glazed with 

framed pictures of Howard and the Fab Five. His 
framed pictures of Howard and the Fab Five. His 

wife, Jenine, ordered the photos. The collection 
wife, Jenine, ordered the photos. The collection 

includes a brush painting of Steve Fisher, 
includes a brush painting of Steve Fisher, 

Howard’s college coach from three decades ago.
Howard’s college coach from three decades ago.

It’s fitting that the corner office has undergone 
It’s fitting that the corner office has undergone 

a makeover comparable to that of the program 
a makeover comparable to that of the program 

itself. After spending 25 years around the NBA — 
itself. After spending 25 years around the NBA — 

19 as a player and six as a coach — Howard has 
19 as a player and six as a coach — Howard has 

implemented a pro-style system at Michigan. 
implemented a pro-style system at Michigan. 

On the recruiting trail, he’s assembling a level of 
On the recruiting trail, he’s assembling a level of 

talent Ann Arbor hasn’t seen since, well, his own 
talent Ann Arbor hasn’t seen since, well, his own 

Fab Five.
Fab Five.

And now, whenever a player walks down 
And now, whenever a player walks down 

that corridor, the last door on the left is open. 
that corridor, the last door on the left is open. 

Sometimes literally. Always figuratively.
Sometimes literally. Always figuratively.

It’s the reason you can’t understand the 
It’s the reason you can’t understand the 

Wolverines’ surge on the court without 
Wolverines’ surge on the court without 

understanding what’s happening off it. In just 
understanding what’s happening off it. In just 

nine months, a culture has taken shape — one 
nine months, a culture has taken shape — one 

that starts with the man sitting behind the desk 
that starts with the man sitting behind the desk 

on two-inch risers.
on two-inch risers.

“I feel good about the fact that communication 
“I feel good about the fact that communication 

is important,” Howard told The Daily on Feb. 
is important,” Howard told The Daily on Feb. 

3. “I never want any of my players to feel like 
3. “I never want any of my players to feel like 

they’re isolated or in this bubble by themselves, 
they’re isolated or in this bubble by themselves, 

so I’ve always told them, ‘Hey, if there’s anything 
so I’ve always told them, ‘Hey, if there’s anything 

on your mind, it’s important for us to have that 
on your mind, it’s important for us to have that 

relationship where you can come talk to me 
relationship where you can come talk to me 

about anything.’ 
about anything.’ 

“My door is always open.”
“My door is always open.”

***
***

Since Howard’s hiring, everyone around the 
Since Howard’s hiring, everyone around the 

Michigan men’s basketball program has used the 
Michigan men’s basketball program has used the 

same two words to describe the first-year coach.
same two words to describe the first-year coach.

Players’ coach.
Players’ coach.

The label has become a de facto stamp, rolling 
The label has become a de facto stamp, rolling 

off the tongue of seemingly every coach and 
off the tongue of seemingly every coach and 

player — both Howard’s own and opposing.
player — both Howard’s own and opposing.

If there’s anyone who fits the bill, it’s Howard. 
If there’s anyone who fits the bill, it’s Howard. 

In short, he’s been everywhere a college 
In short, he’s been everywhere a college 

basketball player dreams of going. Now in his 
basketball player dreams of going. Now in his 

first head-coaching job, that experience has 
first head-coaching job, that experience has 

proved to be a valuable vehicle in connecting 
proved to be a valuable vehicle in connecting 

with his players.
with his players.

“He’s had some great experiences,” junior 
“He’s had some great experiences,” junior 

walk-on forward C.J. Baird said. “One of the main 
walk-on forward C.J. Baird said. “One of the main 

examples is his time with LeBron James. That’s 
examples is his time with LeBron James. That’s 

one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, 
one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, 

and you see (Howard) come around with that 
and you see (Howard) come around with that 

sort of knowledge and that sort of story.
sort of knowledge and that sort of story.

“It really gives us better perspective. He 
“It really gives us better perspective. He 

knows what it takes to be great on every level. It 
knows what it takes to be great on every level. It 

really helps us to understand we’re following a 
really helps us to understand we’re following a 

guy who’s done it all on every level.”
guy who’s done it all on every level.”

Howard’s past can’t be overlooked, but it’s 
Howard’s past can’t be overlooked, but it’s 

only half of what endears him to players. Telling 
only half of what endears him to players. Telling 

old stories only goes so far. The all-important 
old stories only goes so far. The all-important 

other half is visible in the way he treats his players 
other half is visible in the way he treats his players 

within his meticulously constructed program.
within his meticulously constructed program.

Experience is a reflection of Howard’s past. 
Experience is a reflection of Howard’s past. 

The way he runs his program is an indicator of 
The way he runs his program is an indicator of 

his future. And at the center of it all lies his open-
his future. And at the center of it all lies his open-

door policy.
door policy.

“It started when he first got in,” sophomore 
“It started when he first got in,” sophomore 

guard David DeJulius said in December. “He has 
guard David DeJulius said in December. “He has 

an open door policy — open, candid conversations 
an open door policy — open, candid conversations 

— and you just grow to trust him each and every 
— and you just grow to trust him each and every 

day, just by how he conducts himself as a man, 
day, just by how he conducts himself as a man, 

and you look up to him both on and off the floor 
and you look up to him both on and off the floor 

(for) what he’s done in life and on the basketball 
(for) what he’s done in life and on the basketball 

court. He just continues to inspire myself and my 
court. He just continues to inspire myself and my 

other teammates.”
other teammates.”

There are no exceptions. Even when the last 
There are no exceptions. Even when the last 

door at the end of the second-floor corridor 
door at the end of the second-floor corridor 

isn’t physically open, all it takes is a knock. After 
isn’t physically open, all it takes is a knock. After 

hours, that knock comes in the form of a text or 
hours, that knock comes in the form of a text or 

phone call.
phone call.

“No matter the time of day, you can hit him 
“No matter the time of day, you can hit him 

up,” DeJulius said. “… When you have a coach 
up,” DeJulius said. “… When you have a coach 

that you know cares about you genuinely — both 
that you know cares about you genuinely — both 

on and off the floor — you’ll run through a brick 
on and off the floor — you’ll run through a brick 

wall for him.”
wall for him.”

Howard’s door is open to everyone, from 
Howard’s door is open to everyone, from 

captains to walk-ons. Over the last few months, 
captains to walk-ons. Over the last few months, 

seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske have 
seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske have 

sought out Howard to discuss what it’s like to 
sought out Howard to discuss what it’s like to 

play at the next level. Freshman wing Franz 
play at the next level. Freshman wing Franz 

Wagner, meanwhile, has sat in the same office 
Wagner, meanwhile, has sat in the same office 

chair for heart-to-hearts about adjusting to 
chair for heart-to-hearts about adjusting to 

American culture after growing up in Germany. 
American culture after growing up in Germany. 

Somewhere in the middle, DeJulius has used 
Somewhere in the middle, DeJulius has used 

the policy to discuss the ups and downs of an 
the policy to discuss the ups and downs of an 

expanded role this season.
expanded role this season.

“When you have an open door to a guy like 
“When you have an open door to a guy like 

(Howard), that helps you a lot,” Wagner said. 
(Howard), that helps you a lot,” Wagner said. 

“You can just ask questions and have a normal 
“You can just ask questions and have a normal 

conversation with your head coach, which I 
conversation with your head coach, which I 

think with other teams might be a little different. 
think with other teams might be a little different. 

It makes everybody feel more comfortable and 
It makes everybody feel more comfortable and 

makes us stay more connected as a team when 
makes us stay more connected as a team when 

you know you have a guy like that at the top of 
you know you have a guy like that at the top of 

the snake.”
the snake.”

Added junior guard Eli Brooks: “Anytime you 
Added junior guard Eli Brooks: “Anytime you 

need (Howard), he’s there. He’ll let you know 
need (Howard), he’s there. He’ll let you know 

that, too. You can really feel it. Some people say 
that, too. You can really feel it. Some people say 

it’s not real, but with him, it’s real.”
it’s not real, but with him, it’s real.”

Half of what makes Howard a players’ coach 
Half of what makes Howard a players’ coach 

isn’t difficult to see. It’s easy to fetch an image 
isn’t difficult to see. It’s easy to fetch an image 

of him hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and it 
of him hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and it 

takes even less effort to look up his lengthy list of 
takes even less effort to look up his lengthy list of 

career accolades.
career accolades.

The other half, however, is the one making the 
The other half, however, is the one making the 

difference in his first season as a head coach.
difference in his first season as a head coach.

***
***

Howard is a 47-year-old father of six, four of 
Howard is a 47-year-old father of six, four of 

which are boys.
which are boys.

The oldest starred at Detroit Mercy from 
The oldest starred at Detroit Mercy from 

2012-15, and another is a senior starting forward 
2012-15, and another is a senior starting forward 

at Brown. Two are still in high school, one of 
at Brown. Two are still in high school, one of 

which is set to join Michigan next fall while the 
which is set to join Michigan next fall while the 

youngest — currently a sophomore — is starting 
youngest — currently a sophomore — is starting 

to put together an impressive college-offer list.
to put together an impressive college-offer list.

Howard is no stranger to fatherhood. More 
Howard is no stranger to fatherhood. More 

specifically, he’s no stranger to being the father 
specifically, he’s no stranger to being the father 

of Division I basketball players. Even still, the 
of Division I basketball players. Even still, the 

15 players on the Wolverines’ roster have forced 
15 players on the Wolverines’ roster have forced 

him to straddle the line between fatherhood and 
him to straddle the line between fatherhood and 

coaching.
coaching.

“I’m old enough to be all their fathers,” 
“I’m old enough to be all their fathers,” 

Howard said. “I treat them like they’re the young 
Howard said. “I treat them like they’re the young 

men they are. I also take into consideration that 
men they are. I also take into consideration that 

I can be their dad, and I want them to feel like 
I can be their dad, and I want them to feel like 

I’m not hovering over them, but I am a nurturer. I 
I’m not hovering over them, but I am a nurturer. I 

love them like they all are my kids. I don’t want to 
love them like they all are my kids. I don’t want to 

love them, I do love them like they are my kids.”
love them, I do love them like they are my kids.”

That understanding, coupled with his 
That understanding, coupled with his 

emphasis on communication, makes Howard’s 
emphasis on communication, makes Howard’s 

open-door policy all the more valuable. “He 
open-door policy all the more valuable. “He 

thinks of us as family and we do the same with 
thinks of us as family and we do the same with 

him,” senior center Austin Davis said.
him,” senior center Austin Davis said.

That’s why Howard, on a chilly mid-January 
That’s why Howard, on a chilly mid-January 

morning, threw DeJulius a curveball when he 
morning, threw DeJulius a curveball when he 

requested a meeting to discuss his role on the 
requested a meeting to discuss his role on the 

team. Instead of convening in Howard’s office, 
team. Instead of convening in Howard’s office, 

he suggested they meet for breakfast at Sava’s, a 
he suggested they meet for breakfast at Sava’s, a 

popular Ann Arbor restaurant on State Street.
popular Ann Arbor restaurant on State Street.

“I don’t like to always (talk in) my office,” 
“I don’t like to always (talk in) my office,” 

Howard said. “The office just seems like it’s a 
Howard said. “The office just seems like it’s a 

dungeon, where it’s like, ‘Oh, here comes the big 
dungeon, where it’s like, ‘Oh, here comes the big 

coach’s speech.’ And then it can be intimidating 
coach’s speech.’ And then it can be intimidating 

for players to want to be locked in the coach’s 
for players to want to be locked in the coach’s 

office. I enjoy being off-site, where it can be 
office. I enjoy being off-site, where it can be 

more of a relaxed setting so the guys can be more 
more of a relaxed setting so the guys can be more 

comfortable.”
comfortable.”

The meeting came almost a year to the day 
The meeting came almost a year to the day 

after DeJulius, then a freshman, was denied 
after DeJulius, then a freshman, was denied 

a pre-practice meeting with Beilein. He 
a pre-practice meeting with Beilein. He 

recalled requesting it over text just a few hours 
recalled requesting it over text just a few hours 

beforehand, which failed to meet Beilein’s 
beforehand, which failed to meet Beilein’s 

preferred 24 hours’ notice.
preferred 24 hours’ notice.

“Last year, it wasn’t the same policy,” DeJulius 
“Last year, it wasn’t the same policy,” DeJulius 

said. “So for sure, it’s a lot different stating at this 
said. “So for sure, it’s a lot different stating at this 

stage that you can just walk into his office at any 
stage that you can just walk into his office at any 

time of the day and just talk about anything.
time of the day and just talk about anything.

“It doesn’t even have to be about basketball. A 
“It doesn’t even have to be about basketball. A 

lot of times, he’ll pull you in and talk to you and it 
lot of times, he’ll pull you in and talk to you and it 

won’t have nothing to do with basketball, ‘How’s 
won’t have nothing to do with basketball, ‘How’s 

your family? How are you? How’s school? How 
your family? How are you? How’s school? How 

are you doing mentally?’ ”
are you doing mentally?’ ”

With four boys of his own, Howard knows the 
With four boys of his own, Howard knows the 

importance of those questions as well as anyone. 
importance of those questions as well as anyone. 

Where he excels most, though, is the way he 
Where he excels most, though, is the way he 

goes about asking them.
goes about asking them.

“I 
have 
a 
little 
practice 
in 
“I 
have 
a 
little 
practice 
in 

communicating with these young adults 
communicating with these young adults 

today,” Howard said, flashing a grin. “At 
today,” Howard said, flashing a grin. “At 

times, I still think I’m a young adult.”
times, I still think I’m a young adult.”

***
***

For a while, the idea of being a 
For a while, the idea of being a 

head coach was merely a budding 
head coach was merely a budding 

seed in Howard’s mind.
seed in Howard’s mind.

The idea of an open-door policy, 
The idea of an open-door policy, 

on the other hand, was a fully-
on the other hand, was a fully-

sprouted tree — a decision rooted 
sprouted tree — a decision rooted 

in his own experience as a player. 
in his own experience as a player. 

Howard 
admired 
coaches 
Howard 
admired 
coaches 

with similar policies during 
with similar policies during 

his NBA career, specifically 
his NBA career, specifically 

citing Erik Spoelstra, Jim 
citing Erik Spoelstra, Jim 

Lynam and Nate McMillan 
Lynam and Nate McMillan 

as those with open doors.
as those with open doors.

“Some players have 
“Some players have 

been 
around 
certain 
been 
around 
certain 

coaches 
where 
they 
coaches 
where 
they 

didn’t feel comfortable 
didn’t feel comfortable 

going to talk to the 
going to talk to the 

coach,” 
Howard 
coach,” 
Howard 

said. “Whether it’s 
said. “Whether it’s 

about playing time, 
about playing time, 

shots, or if it was 
shots, or if it was 

about 
anything 
about 
anything 

personal, 
I’ve 
personal, 
I’ve 

always — since 
always — since 

I was a player in 
I was a player in 

the NBA — my 
the NBA — my 

coaches have always given me that freedom to 
coaches have always given me that freedom to 

come in and talk whenever I needed.”
come in and talk whenever I needed.”

When Howard was tabbed the 17th head 
When Howard was tabbed the 17th head 

coach in program history in May, an open door 
coach in program history in May, an open door 

policy was already part of his vision. At the 
policy was already part of his vision. At the 

team’s first practice in July, he told players they 
team’s first practice in July, he told players they 

were going to learn how to “share the game,” 
were going to learn how to “share the game,” 

according to associate head coach Phil Martelli.
according to associate head coach Phil Martelli.

To Howard, sharing the program is a 
To Howard, sharing the program is a 

necessary key to sharing the game. Knowing 
necessary key to sharing the game. Knowing 

what it’s like to play for coaches with open-door 
what it’s like to play for coaches with open-door 

policies, he decided to make it a pillar of his own 
policies, he decided to make it a pillar of his own 

vision.
vision.

“An (open-door policy) helps when you allow 
“An (open-door policy) helps when you allow 

your players to have an empowerment that this 
your players to have an empowerment that this 

is a part of their team,” Howard said. “It’s an 
is a part of their team,” Howard said. “It’s an 

active, collective group and how we can both 
active, collective group and how we can both 

figure out (and) come to solutions that give 
figure out (and) come to solutions that give 

us the best chance to be a fun, successful 
us the best chance to be a fun, successful 

program. I’ve always talked about it. 
program. I’ve always talked about it. 

Players, they are part of the process 
Players, they are part of the process 

and it cannot, and should not, always 
and it cannot, and should not, always 

come from the coach.”
come from the coach.”

Howard’s open-door policy is 
Howard’s open-door policy is 

a vital component to Michigan’s 
a vital component to Michigan’s 

aspirations, both this season and 
aspirations, both this season and 

beyond. The Wolverines’ current 
beyond. The Wolverines’ current 

five-game winning streak has 
five-game winning streak has 

thrust them back into the Big Ten 
thrust them back into the Big Ten 

title conversation, and with the 
title conversation, and with the 

nation’s fourth-ranked recruiting 
nation’s fourth-ranked recruiting 

class set to arrive on campus next 
class set to arrive on campus next 

fall, this season could be only the 
fall, this season could be only the 

beginning of sustained success.
beginning of sustained success.

Perhaps Howard’s senior captain put 
Perhaps Howard’s senior captain put 

it best.
it best.

“That’s the type of coach he is,” 
“That’s the type of coach he is,” 

Simpson said.
Simpson said.

DANIEL DASH
Daily Sports Writer

Through an open-door policy, Juwan Howard aims to shape Michigan’s culture

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