Michigan coach Juwan Howard showed his true colors after his team upset Tennessee in the NCAA men’s basketball tourney.
On Saturday Michigan’s coach Juwan Howard gave Tennessee star basketball player Kennedy Chandler a big hug after the game. It was a very moving moment and the coach received a lot of praise for his compassion.
Unbelievable class act! A true leader and sportsman! Proud to call this man our coach. He is such a father figure to so many! Proud day to be a Michigan Wolverine. #goblue pic.twitter.com/TBWd4C9Td1
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) March 20, 2022
ESPN reported:
The video had gone viral on social media before Michigan coach Juwan Howard had even celebrated the 2022 NCAA tournament win with players, and well before he hugged former Fab 5 teammates Chris Webber and Ray Jackson as he made his way to the locker room.
Howard was going through the handshake line — the same kind of line where his actions landed him a suspension some four weeks ago — when he stopped and embraced Tennessee freshman guard Kennedy Chandler.
Howard hugged and talked to the very emotional Chandler after his 11-seed Wolverines upset the 3-seed Volunteers 76-68 to move to the Sweet 16 for the fifth straight year.
“He said to keep my head up,” Chandler said. “It’s tough for me, and he knew I wanted to get the win. I know him. I’ve played with his son since, like, fourth grade. So I know him for a long time. He’s a great coach. I love him. He told me to keep my head up and you played your heart out, that’s what he told me.”
After the game and the teams went through and shook each other’s hands, Coach Howard found his former teammate and who congratulated the coach on the win as well.
Michigan coach Juwan Howard and his fellow Fab Five member Jalen Rose showing each other love after a UM win. pic.twitter.com/NmYtYhtw2h
— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) March 17, 2022
This was a much different picture than a few weeks ago when Howard was criticized for getting into a scuffle with a Wisconsin coach after Michigan’s loss to Wisconsin.
Howard gets the last laugh however as his team moved on to the sweet 16 and Wisconsin lost to Iowa State and will go home.
