Nate Oats Extended - Time to pay Juwan Howard

Submitted by jmstranger on February 18th, 2021 at 7:10 PM

Alabama just extended Nate Oats through 2026-2027 and gave him 3.225 million per year - seems like it's time to get Juwan Howard extended and paid if Michigan doesn't want to lose him (surely the NBA is going to be calling before long)

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30925289/alabama-men-basketball-coach-nate-oats-gets-extension-2026-27-season

Phaedrus

February 19th, 2021 at 7:34 AM ^

I’m pretty sure Howard’s goal to become an NBA coach was so he could use it to springboard himself to the Michigan job. He was able to skip that step. We’re extremely lucky.

I also don’t think Howard cares much about the money. Considering his long NBA career, and his dedication to coaching, more money probably has zero effect on his lifestyle. When he gets a new contract (whether its early or not) he will get paid more. But I’m willing to bet he won’t ask to be the highest paid coach so he can have high paid assistants.

I know everything I just wrote sounds like a complete dream scenario for Michigan fans. The only thing I base it on are various things Jalen Rose has said about Howard on his show. However, Rose would know better than anyone. 

Mr Miggle

February 18th, 2021 at 7:14 PM ^

Giving Juwan a raise now isn't going to stop him from going to the NBA after Jace and Jett leave. He's not taking another college job. He deserves a raise and a long term deal, but I don't get the urgency. Wait until the season is over at least.

Grampy

February 18th, 2021 at 7:18 PM ^

They’ll settle Juwan’s contract after the season. If Juwan wants to stay, he will, as the ties which bind him are significantly stronger than Oats has with Bama.  Personally, I think Juwan isn’t worried about the Bennies and is having the time of his life. 

Rhino77

February 18th, 2021 at 7:19 PM ^

He’s gonna coach his kids then migrate to the NBA. Hopefully with a title or two. When that happens I’ll thank him and wish him well. Juwan is the “Michigan Man” Bo was talking about. 

Trizz

February 18th, 2021 at 9:09 PM ^

Honestly I think that could be the likely outcome, but I would LOVE it if he just became like a coach k, roy, etc. status who is just a staple at the University for decades (I'm ignoring the scandals/etc).  I think he has a better chance to do "it" than a typical coach just with his ties to the university, finishing his degree, mentoring, etc. and they happen so it's not impossible.........

Now the chances are so incredibly small - but just dream with me!  What if he just becomes a solid, like coach K equivalent, and for over 40 years we have that sort of stability with our team/identity/whatever and come out the other side just like wow that was a ride.  That never happens ever, so at this moment it could happen and I'm full team Juwan Is Staying His Entire Career until it's time to get off the ride, because if it happens I wanna be full in.

But yeah you're more than likely right.

ashwood35

February 18th, 2021 at 7:29 PM ^

I'm confident Juwan will hang banners in Crisler at some point (hopefully very, very soon) but how about we see if he can get it done before deciding to give him a lifetime contract folks!

Perkis-Size Me

February 18th, 2021 at 8:28 PM ^

I’m sure they’ll handle it in the off-season. I’m guessing Warde, and especially Howard, don’t want to distract from what they’ve got going on on the court right now. I’d be willing to bet Warde is more than happy to stay out of Juwan’s way until the season is over.

In any case, the optimist in me says Juwan won’t leave until his kids cycle out of the program. After that, Michigan is living on borrowed time. I’m not naive enough to think he doesn’t have the NBA as his final destination.  

LabattsBleu

February 18th, 2021 at 8:29 PM ^

I don't think its a question of money for Howard; but it is a question of respect.

Howard definitely deserves a raise and an extension. I hope that Warde has already communicated to Howard that this is something they'll discuss in offseason.

 

WeimyWoodson

February 18th, 2021 at 9:04 PM ^

He should be paid fairly, but I'm sure he does not care about getting an extra 500k-1.5 million at this point.  He's not going to leave for another college job, and if the NBA is where he eventually wants to go, nothing is going to stop him. 

Double-D

February 18th, 2021 at 9:35 PM ^

I read Juwan’s personality as someone who sees UofM as the place he became the man he is today.  There is heartfelt nostalgia and loyalty.  I see a guy who is at his destination not his stepping stone. He is the king of his domain.

He has unfinished business from the Fab Five years. It drives him.  Don’t ever doubt that. Does he leave for the NBA someday for another challenge?  Not for a long while and not until he has multiple rings....if ever. 

FrankMurphy

February 19th, 2021 at 12:34 AM ^

He wants to be an NBA head coach. He cut his teeth as an NBA assistant. He has interviewed for NBA head coaching jobs (before Michigan). He has gone on record as saying that Michigan is the only college job he would ever even consider. Duncan Robinson (the only player to have been coached by Beilein in college and Juwan in the NBA) said that he once broached the subject with Juwan about possibly coaching at Michigan one day, and that Juwan said he didn't really want to coach in college. As much as he loves his alma mater, he has his ultimate sights set on the NBA. And he's entitled to have his dreams and ambitions.

I would hope that the University prolongs his tenure as long as possible by making sure he has everything he needs, that he feels respected and valued, and is paid what he's worth. But let's be honest with ourselves: he's not ours to keep. We're the Illinois State Legislature, and Juwan is Barack Obama (I know, no politics, but you get my point). He's destined for the bigger stage. And honestly, we should be proud. If he hangs a few banners in Crisler during his time here, then when the inevitable happens, we should throw him a going away party and be his biggest cheerleaders at the next level.

FrankMurphy

February 18th, 2021 at 11:34 PM ^

Howard deserves an extension and a raise, there's no doubt about that. There may already have been informal conversations on that subject. But my guess is that Howard is okay with waiting until after the season. Hell, if he pulls off a deep tourney run, he may have even more leverage in April than he has now.

Alabama has a different culture. They probably have the most, shall we say, enthusiastic base of boosters in the country (didn't they pay off Nick Saban's $3 million mortgage just for the hell of it?). The residual effect of their wildly successful football program on all other sports is immense. They have no issue with firing the money canon anytime, anyplace to keep their coaches happy. The cash may have come from private funds that aren't accounted for in their published revenues. 

UNCWolverine

February 18th, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^

lol, this might be the worst take I've ever seen on this board. He made over $150M during his playing career alone. Does he really seem like the kind of guy that would leave Michigan over a rounding error of his net worth?

Stop posting this type of concern troll bullshit.