Juwan Howard’s tenure at Michigan basketball won’t be assessed until the season concludes. Until then, they’ll have to cope with the disappointing outcomes. When the offseason arrives, Warde Manuel will either give Howard another chance or seek alternatives. Despite Howard’s insistence that his methods are effective, some players and fans disagree.
He lost his star player to the transfer portal, and the university’s admissions haven’t aided him in retaining committed recruits, a trend that might persist with a new coach. If Manuel opts to remove Howard, here are three coaches who should realistically be considered for the position:
1. T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State:
Otzelberger, a two-time Summit League champion at South Dakota State, transitioned to UNLV before joining Iowa State. He hasn’t had a losing season in Ames and is poised to make his third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. Renowned for his recruiting prowess, Otzelberger holds wins over top 10 teams Houston and Kansas this year and leads the Big 12 conference standings. His defensive strategy, ranking sixth by allowing only 62 points per game, contrasts sharply with Howard’s team, which allows 80 points per game.
Interestingly, Otzelberger was accused of sign-stealing by Kansas State, drawing parallels to Jim Harbaugh’s tactics, which could align well with Michigan’s ethos.
