With the reveal that he will be suspended for the remainder of the season for his role in his team’s postgame incident with the University of Wisconsin at the end of Sunday’s game, University of Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard has issued an apology.
The statement, which can be read on the Wolverines Team Page, reads as follows:
“After taking time to reflect on all that happened, I realize how unacceptable both my actions and words were, and how they affected so many. I am truly sorry.”
“I am offering my sincerest apology to my players and their families, my staff, my family, and the Michigan fans around the world. I would like to personally apologize to Wisconsin’s Assistant Coach Joe Krabbenhoft and his family, too.”
“Lastly, I speak a lot about being a Michigan man and representing the University of Michigan with class and pride, I did not do that, nor did I set the right example in the right way for my student-athletes. I will learn from my mistake and this mistake will never happen again. No excuses!”
Howard’s initial apology referenced Krabbenhoft as “Joel” (H/T Jeff Goodman, Stadium), though it was later corrected.
The incident itself drew a strong response from the college basketball world, as did Howard’s suspension. Howard’s apology has done the same.
And true to form, the responses were mixed.
Maybe you feel the apology was fine. Or perhaps you feel it was weak or at least late. It’s also possible that you think it was unnecessary. Regardless of which of those groups you fall into, you’re not alone.
TBH, not a bad apology from Howard as far as these things go. Have to imagine he's on thin ice going forward. https://t.co/ZKtiA6b7we
— Zach Worman (@ZachWorman) February 22, 2022
Love Juwan and @umichbball, but you can’t lose control like that.
Seems like the right response. https://t.co/9kSOWDwWaJ— barrybraksick (@barrybraksick) February 22, 2022
Glad to see Howard offer an unequivocal apology to everyone involved in incident at Wisconsin and their families. No excuses, no blame for anyone but himself, no trolling victims as people who “may have been offended.” This is how it’s done. https://t.co/dggc9agEKp via @freep
— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) February 22, 2022
I accept his apology. Happened to be watching that live because nothing was on and enjoy seeing scUM lose…and my real time reaction was "This is awesome". https://t.co/WxpEqZ1dpN
— Lenny From the Block (@CleveLENNY) February 22, 2022
So what…he took too long
— Ke-fo-fo (@GOfsonka) February 22, 2022
he should have apologized in the post-game. the statement means someone else wrote it and stamped his name on it. since he did not apologize at post-game, he felt no remorse despite sucker punching the asst coach
— T B D (@FoundMyHandle) February 22, 2022
Juwan Howard – “I offer my sincerest apology to my players, their families, my staff, my family and Michigan fans. I apologize to Joel Krabbenhoft and his family as there's a drive into deep LF by Castellanos and that'll be a home run. And so that'll make it a 4-0 ballgame." pic.twitter.com/PUxANjVBu7
— Charlie Ricker (@CharlieRicker24) February 22, 2022
Shouldn’t be apologizing
— Beetlejuice’s Lawyer (@Pimpdaddyboi) February 22, 2022
have to admire juwan howard’s apology especially the part about how he didn’t live up to what he tries to teach to michigan students. https://t.co/5wsAhjaL2x
— mike taddow (@MikeTaddow) February 22, 2022
And while the quality of the apology is a subjective matter, one part of it isn’t. There was one notable name not included in Howard’s statement.
Juwan Howard’s statement issued an apology to…
Michigan fans around the world
Wisconsin players and their families
Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft and his familyBut one name was missing, Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammFreePress) February 22, 2022
Juwan Howard's statement does not offer an apology to Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard but offers to "Joel" Krabbenhoft. "After taking time to reflect on all that happened, I realize how unacceptable both my actions and words were."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) February 22, 2022
If the apology from Howard to Greg Gard (or vice versa) ever does come, we know that it will draw a strong and diverse reaction. Everything else involving this incident already has.
[MGoBlue]