Warde Manuel explains decision to move on from Juwan Howard, responds to criticism about his performance

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel made a pair of significant decisions over the span of eight days this month: On March 15, he fired Juwan Howard after five years…

Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel made a pair of significant decisions over the span of eight days this month: On March 15, he fired Juwan Howard after five years with the men's basketball program; a little over a week later, he hired Dusty May, one of the hottest names in college basketball.

The Wolverines formally introduced May on Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at the Junge Center, which neighbors the Crisler Center and Michigan Stadium. During his comments at the podium, Manuel explained his excitement about the hire.

"A friend of mine called it May Day," Manuel said. "It's probably been used before, but I thought we should do it again. Today, I'm thrilled to be able to announce and celebrate the hiring of Dusty May is our 18th men's basketball head coach. For nearly two decades, Dusty has built a reputation of being a proven winner. This was fully displayed last year in 2023, in their run to the Final Four.

"Dusty embodies all the things we look for in leaders of all of all of our sports programs. ... He has high integrity, outstanding character and drive, coupled with an unparalleled understanding of the game and a strong value in connecting with and supporting his student-athletes on and off the court. The way he has led his teams speaks volumes about him as a coach. I am thrilled to have a coach who has demonstrated not only the capacity to develop talent and build successful programs, but have the understanding of the importance of the university community and the changing recruiting landscape. He has already started to learn and embrace the traditions of this great university. I believe Dusty will be a tremendous asset in our basketball program and our university for many years to come."

After his formal press conference at the podium, Manuel conversed with reporters about his decision to part ways with Howard and how Michigan landed on May as its new leader. Here are highlights of what he said:

Warde Manuel if he was reacting to external criticism about his own performance when he decided to fire Juwan Howard:

No, because the stuff that was said is wrong. The stuff that they said is wrong.

It was the hardest thing I had to do, but the decision to do it was something that I came to because it was necessary. But just like I expressed with Juwan: He means a lot to me. He means a lot to Michigan. But that doesn't mean I don't do what I think is best for Michigan and the basketball program.

And so what I mean by, 'it's insulting.' It's insulting when people think: 'Well, he's not going to do it.' Why? Because I'm black and he's black? Or because I'm a former player and he's a former player? What drives that in people? I don't know. But I'm here to do a job.

And I think I've done it in my career, and the disrespect and the vitriol that's out there on social media. It's ridiculous. And I only hear about it. But I just think some of the stuff people are saying, I just think it's ridiculous.

This story continues below...

On if he proved people wrong by making a coaching decision people didn't expect:

I acted the way I act. I didn't act this way because I wanted to prove them wrong.

I'm always going to do what I think I need to do for our programs. When everybody was telling me to fire Jim, I did what I thought was best for our football program. I didn't do it in spite. I did it because I believed in him and I believe he could do what he did. It turns out that I'm absolutely right. But it also turns out that amazingly, the person who kept him is blamed for the reason he left. That's crazy. Crazy.

I'm sorry to go off on that social media stuff, but it's not about proving anybody wrong or right or whatever. It's about doing what I think is best, communicating with my president, when necessary communicating with the board. And that's what I do.

Listen, man. I'm always going to do what I think is best so we can win and so these kids can have success.

I love Juwan. I loved him as our coach. I'm sorry that he's no longer our coach. But it's what I felt was best.

On how long it took to make the decision to fire Juwan Howard:

I was evaluating everything, supporting him, supporting our student athletes. But when it came time to have the conversation, it was a thorough analysis and a conversation about it with him. And in the end, I thought it was time for a change.

On if Santa Ono gave him free rein when conducting the coaching search:

We stayed in contact, in connection. He offered: He said, 'Listen, if it makes a difference, if you think it would be great if I talk to him, I'm willing to talk to him ahead of time.'

I said: 'Let me see how he goes. Because I'd rather you talk to him after he's our coach.' And he said, 'That'd be great too.' So I texted him, sent him Dusty's number, and probably within 10 minutes of the agreement, he called Dusty and they talked on the phone.

He was extremely supportive. He took him through what I was doing. He loved it. He felt great about the process I was going through and the way we were going about it, and very supportive. He's awesome.

On if John Beilein was being considered as a potential candidate for the job:

He was in the back of my mind, yes. But a lot has changed to a certain degree. And I think when John and I talked, I think he realized, 'Man, do I want to get back into this NIL now and this Portal?' But it never came up where I offered him the job or anything. We just talked. It was a great conversation, that 90 minutes on Tuesday.

On managing to bring Dusty May to Michigan over interest from Louisville, known as a basketball school:

It says I can recruit. It says I can connect with people and talk to them about my vision and what I think they can do here and achieve. And that's what I do. That's what I've done. That's what I'll continue to work on as an AD — and then supporter. Support him through every aspect of what he wants to do and be there by his side. To do what I said I was doing, and I do it all my other sports: To support him, support those student athletes to have success. And so I think it says all of that.

But it also speaks about the University of Michigan and that block M. It also speaks about Big Ten basketball and the success we've had. I think it's a whole combination. And I agree with Dusty: It's the right fit for Michigan. It's the right fit for Michigan.

I'll tell you the other thing that sold me on him. Six years at FAU, he could have left last year. He was the hottest coach out there last year and he decided to stay with those kids. That says a lot to me about a person without having to speak any words at that time. I mean, you just look at him. How many coaches do that? Right?

It is the right fit.

Not a VIP subscriber to The Michigan Insider? Sign up now and get access to everything TMI has to offer on all things Michigan and access to the No. 1 site covering the Wolverines.

Want the latest news on Michigan delivered right to your email? Subscribe to The Michigan Insider newsletter here. It is free and a great way to get daily updates on Michigan football, basketball, baseball, recruiting, and more delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up for FREE text alerts on The Michigan Insider to get breaking news on commitments, decommitments, transfers, injuries, coaching changes, and more with our NEW text alert system available to all registered users and VIP subscribers. Click Here to become a FREE registered user and Click Here if you are already a VIP subscriber then follow these directions to set up your text alerts.

< Back to 68k.news US front page