Five reasons Michigan should keep beleaguered Juwan Howard as coach

The Michigan basketball faithful are dismayed by their team's showing, and head coach Juwan Howard's seat appears to be getting hotter by the day. 

The Wolverines are 3-16 in Big Ten play, four games behind the Maryland Terrapins and a lock for finishing last in the conference for the first time since the 1966-67 season. 

In January, former John Beilein era star Nik Stauskas called out the Michigan basketball program for its lack of "respect and understanding" of what it means to put on a Wolverines uniform. 

Michigan is 8-22 overall and, along with Penn State, one of two Big Ten teams with a record below .500. Howard, under contract until 2026, has a $3M buyout for this year. 

Although the situation looks bleak for Howard, Michigan should keep him around for at least one more year. Here are five reasons why: 

1. Early success: Howard took over a program with talented players left over from the Beilein era, and the Wolverines' success continued with the Fab Five star. 

Howard led the Wolverines to the 2021 Big Ten regular-season title with a 14-3 record and his Michigan teams have made three Sweet 16 appearances (2019, 2021 and 2022). 

2. NBA departures: Howard has sent eight players to the NBA during his tenure with the Wolverines, including four second-round picks and four first-round picks. 

Last season, freshmen Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard left for the NBA after just one season each in Ann Arbor, leaving the cupboard relatively bare for Howard this season. 

Howard has proven he can develop pro talent, but he needs more time to fully restock the roster. 

3. The Love factor: Michigan almost landed former North Carolina and current Arizona star Caleb Love this offseason, but he was denied entry to the university because of an admissions-related issue. 

Love could have taken Michigan from a bottom-dweller to a tournament contender. His wooing of Love clearly shows Howard can attract top-notch talent.

4. Coaching changes needed: Howard has kept much of Beilein's staff since Michigan hired him in May 2019, but changes are needed. He apparently seems willing to make them, a good sign.

Howard got into a heated argument with strength coach Jon Sanderson, a Beilein-era holdover who is no longer with the program. The current Michigan coach could benefit from an infusion of youth and new ideas. 

5. Young talent: Howard has done his best to plug the holes left by NBA departures and graduation, but Michigan has an odd mix this season of youngsters and fill-in players from the portal. 

Next season, Michigan's recruiting class is expected to include five-star Khani Rooths, four-star Christian Anderson and three-star Durral Brooks. 

The 2024-25 roster won't compare to Beilein's NCAA Final Four teams, but Howard has a solid chance to compete for an NCAA Tournament bid and save his job.