Update on Howard/Sanderson Situation, per Brendan Quinn.

Submitted by MaizeBlueA2 on December 11th, 2023 at 7:45 AM

To be honest, these links could be buried in a thread somewhere (including the one I started), I think it's worth it's own thread because it establishes a level of credibility and fact finding over 100% speculation and opinion sharing. It provides an update to "where we are" at this current moment.

https://twitter.com/BFQuinn/status/1734074148970725806?t=KAXwt9PLj0jxHSeAP7RptA&s=19

 

Also information person Josh Henschke of Maize & Blue Review (Rivals.com) - again, sharing "what (they) know": 

https://michigan.rivals.com/news/what-we-re-hearing-debunking-rumors-surrounding-juwan-howard?guccounter=1

 

Check the board for an already established thread on Jalen Rose suggesting that Howard is not stepping down. The link is in the OP:

https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/jalen-rose-says-howard-did-not-and-not-stepping-down

bronxblue

December 11th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^

So again, your argument is you want Howard fired because of Wisconsin (and I will quibble with the framing of some assault - the Wisconsin HC grabbed Howard, then the assistant coach grabbed TWill and was pushing him back - so let's not act like Howard just swung in from the sidelines and clocked some guy) and he's not winning.  Just go with that.  But "bad enough for rumors" two days later doesn't mean anything; rumors happen because someone talked to someone else and they ran with it.  Tons of stuff happens on college and pro teams and they don't break containment and never become rumors; the severity of the event has nothing to do with whether or not it got out.  The Conor Stalions situation is a fantastic example of this - breathless commentary for months and a suspension of a HC who had no proven knowledge of a guy looking at iPhone videos for signs.  This is obviously a different situation but all we've actually gotten from non-parody Xwitter accounts and the least-connected "insiders" is two grown men yelled at each other, possibly over Jace Howard's rehab.

Again, if people want to fire Howard for the fight, for him losing, for poor roster management, for (apparently) having some coach's kids, etc.  Those are all fine reasons.  But the morality argument was the one I took issue with because this entire sport is full of assholes who can't handle their emotions.  Hell, the other guy at yesterday's game (Fran) got into a screaming match with a ref and had to be restrained, and that's a common occurrence for him.  They all look like jerks who are embarrassing to their employers except that they also tend to win basketball games and so nobody cares until that stops being the case.

Beaublue

December 11th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^

Don't know why this opinion gets neg bombed.   I watched that game with my wife.  My wife stopped watching a couple of minutes before the end of the game.   I saw it through.  After the incident, I told her about it and opined that Juwan just got himself fired.  

This current incident needs to be cleaned up asap and my "cleaned up" I mean just be honest about it with the fans and media.  

RobSk

December 11th, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^

Me too.

But I gotta say, the Wisconsin thing and this thing is not why. The reason is basically that I don't like watching these last 3 Michigan teams. (Warning, insane over generalizations coming) I hate their lack of cohesion. I hate that they turn the ball over soooo much. I hate the "Offense by Serial 1 on 1" thing that happens so much.

I miss Beilein.

Beaublue

December 11th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^

The truth is likely somewhere between a fistfight between Juwan and Sanderson or a yelling match between college coaches that is just a routine part of college sports.

The unanswered question is why was Sanderson not at the Iowa game?  

If Sanderson resigns from the Michigan program it is another very bad look for Michigan basketball.

Unfortunately Juwan has a track record of not being transparent about his team and, imo, does not do his professional diligence by interacting the media.  

Frank Chuck

December 11th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^

Uh...the previous coach (Beilein) had a well-deserved and well-earned reputation for:
(1) being a poor defensive coach
(2) his teams consistently getting outrebounded on the glass

So much so that he was forced to hire a "DC" to fix the defense and rebounding.

Not sure how our fans forgot this...

shoes

December 11th, 2023 at 8:26 AM ^

I was more concerned about how he got ejected from the Texas Tech game when he technically wasn't even coaching, than a possible dust-up in practice which I assume isn't that unusual.

St Joe Blues

December 11th, 2023 at 8:44 AM ^

I worked at Crisler when I was at Michigan. One afternoon, I was cleaning inside the arena towards the top of the stands when an altercation happened at practice. This was Fall of 1989, after the national championship. One of the stars of that team got into it with the head coach. It didn't come to blows because other guys stepped in and kept people separated. Meanwhile the player was sent home to evaluate his future with the team. Things were subsequently smoothed over and he finished the season. I shudder to think how something like that could have gotten blown out of proportion in the internet age.

 

matty blue

December 11th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^

darn it.  i love juwan, love that he's our coach.  but MAN this stuff is piling up.  it's exhausting.

makes me feel like i'm a sparty fan defending izzo, but without the decades of great teams to back it up.

Blue Ninja

December 11th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^

If the rumors are true then I agree Howard needs to go, this is a pattern at that point and he's already on zero tolerance. That said, the truth about what happened needs to be investigated before any actions are taken. If it did happen because Jace was being held accountable that tells me Howard wouldn't be able to control the team anyways if his kid is getting preferential treatment. 

Monkey House

December 11th, 2023 at 9:08 AM ^

I'll be honest if you, I'm done with Juwan. I appreciate what he did here 30 years ago, but the dude has anger issues and frankly is a pretty average coach. Good recruiter but outside of that he doesn't bring much to this program.

Amazinblu

December 11th, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^

The "Fire, Ready, Aim" approach seems to be in force today.   

And, all this time - I assume the internet provided 100% accurate, documented, and verified information.

Booted Blue in PA

December 11th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^

So at this point we know for sure that something might have happened and the university is looking into it.

 

calls to fire anyone are premature and ignorant, no less than suspending Harbaugh mid way thru an investigation because a few other teams coaches and AD's demanded it.

abertain

December 11th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^

He also got into it with Turegon. And he was just ejected from a game when he was just the assistant. It's a pattern. You're either fine with it or you're not. He seems like a good dude who has an issue when he gets heated. Opinions on this may vary. 

As a coach, he's left a lot to be desired over the past few years, odd rotations, consistently meh defense and some chemistry issues. I'd be fine with moving on or fine with him bringing in a Yaklich type to help. I wouldn't be fine with just rolling on. 

BlueMk1690

December 11th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^

At the end of the day it's about the numbers. Michigan basketball under Howard has turned into a mediocre program. If Michigan was winning, everyone would be a lot more forgiving of all the other stuff. The more you lose, the more of a microscope coaches will find themselves under.

 

maizedNblued

December 11th, 2023 at 10:29 AM ^

Regardless of when/how it went down....public schools have certain HR guidelines in place that they legally must follow....private schools are "at will" institutions and can fire you on the spot. Howard being at the game could just be part of the "lengthy process" and Sanderson not being at the game is HR/AD simply removing one of the participants to remove any sort of potential hostile work environment - it very well could have been Sanderson saying Howard is the HC, he needs to be on the bench, and I can accept my presence is expendable to avoid any possible PR nightmare.

In any chase - it is fairly obvious that there are internal staff issues going on - it does not take a genius to see any of it.

 

 

Speed_in_Space

December 11th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^

Like Juwan but man is it getting tiring to hear about incidents like this. Rumor or not, it’s like Jim Harbaugh’s constant NFL rumors…difference is Jim has three Big Ten championships and Juwan’s teams are losing. Do the math.