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
SPORTS