Michigan fires coach Juwan Howard after 8-24 season - ESPN

Juwan Howard was fired as Michigan's head coach, the school announced Friday, ending a five-year run in Ann Arbor for the former Fab Five member.

Michigan just completed one of its worst seasons in the past 60 years, finishing last in the Big Ten for the first time since 1966-67. The Wolverines lost their final nine games of the season, including Wednesday's Big Ten tournament defeat to Penn State, to finish 8-24 overall and 3-17 in the league.

«After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men's basketball coach,» athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. «Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program. Despite his love of his alma mater and the positive experience that our student-athletes had under his leadership, it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction. I am thankful for Juwan's dedication, passion and commitment to U-M and for all that he, and his legacy, will continue to mean to Michigan.»

Michigan owes Howard $3 million, sources told ESPN.

Howard underwent a scheduled heart procedure in September to resect an aortic aneurysm and repair an aortic valve, forcing him to miss the start of Michigan's season. He returned to the bench during the Wolverines' trip to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis as an observer, before transitioning to an assistant coach role for two weeks. Before he returned as head coach, he was also involved in an incident at practice with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson, an altercation for which he