Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard has made some questionable decisions in recent days. However, stepping onto the court to grab a live ball is nothing compared to slapping an opposing coach during a game, which is what happened on Sunday.
The No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers pulled away late against Michigan in what would end up being a 77-63 victory. Despite having a large lead with 15 seconds left, Wisconsin coach Greg Gard called a timeout, which seemed to upset Howard. The Michigan coach said something to Gard in the handshake line after the game and the two started exchanging words.
Things got heated as players and coaches from both teams came over as well. Eventually, Howard had apparently heard enough and he reached out and slapped one of the Badgers’ assistant coaches in the head before he was pulled away. However, things escalated from there and both sides engaged in a bit of a brawl.
A fight broke out between Michigan and Wisconsin during the postgame handshake line. pic.twitter.com/AiWIwyzj8w
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 20, 2022
Juwan Howard throws a punch. pic.twitter.com/HiC3y7yKvG
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 20, 2022
It’s a terrible look for Howard, who is likely to face severe punishment for the incident. There’s little doubt that a suspension is in Howard’s future and it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he could lose his job over it. Hitting someone else is bad enough, but the head coach inciting a brawl between coaches and players is a whole other thing.
Michigan is coming off a 23-5 season in which they made it to the Elite Eight, but this season has been disappointing as the Wolverines are now 14-11 overall and 8-7 in Big Ten play.
Until we find out more about what was said what Michigan and the Big Ten will have to say about things, there is plenty of chatter on social media about the incident.
What did the Fab Five fingers say to the face! https://t.co/Ric1tv4DnS
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) February 20, 2022
Calling that a “punch” by Juwan Howard seems not exactly right. But it’s still a serious hands-throwing directed at someone’s face in a public setting. The Big Ten even if just for appearances is not going to be cool with that
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) February 20, 2022
Juwan Howard needs to be suspended for a long time. He threw a punch that set off that brawl.
Lots of people deserve punishment. Lots of fists were thrown. But Juwan set that off, and that is unacceptable from a head coach.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) February 20, 2022
Juwan Howard in the handshake line vs Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/emwYBPPB0V
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) February 20, 2022
More of a face-mushing imo https://t.co/B11w2emZEj
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) February 20, 2022
The more I see the video, the more disturbing it is. This is why Woody Hayes was fired. Juwan Howard needs to be suspended for multiple games. As I mentioned, this is not the first time this has happened with him and another coach. Zero excuse.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 20, 2022
This is a no call in the Old Big East https://t.co/yDANS4E6ot
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) February 20, 2022
I wouldn't fire him but I'll be surprised if Michigan doesn't let him go.
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) February 20, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.