Report: Michigan investigating alleged Juwan Howard incident

Mar 23, 2022; San Antonio, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard answers questions from the media after a team practice for the NCAA Tournament South Regional at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Michigan is reportedly looking into an alleged heated confrontation between head basketball coach Juwan Howard and a strength coach.

The university’s human resources department is looking into the alleged confrontation between Howard and longtime strength coach Jon Sanderson, according to Brendan Quinn of The Athletic. The confrontation, which is said to have happened on Dec. 7, involved a dispute over Howard’s son, Jace Howard, who is a guard on the team.

The younger Howard has not played this season due to a stress fracture in his right knee. When Jace questioned why he was not yet cleared to play, Sanderson and the elder Howard became involved. While no punches were thrown, the two allegedly had to be separated.

Sanderson, who has been with the program for 15 years, later filed a complaint with HR.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Howard is subject to a zero-tolerance policy regarding incidents like this. That stems from Juwan’s bizarre confrontation with Wisconsin Badgers coaches in the handshake line following a game in February 2022.

Howard previously had an incident with then-Maryland coach Mark Turgeon, which is why Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel instituted the zero-tolerance line after the Wisconsin incident.

Howard has yet to coach this season as he recovers from an offseason heart procedure. Now in his fifth season with the school, he has a career record of 84-53.