‘No schedule’ for Howard’s return at Michigan

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Personnel WriterOct 10, 2023, 11:20 AM ET

  Close

  • Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

A month after Michigan head coach Juwan Howard underwent heart surgical treatment, there is “no schedule” for his return, according to Saddi Washington, an assistant under Howard.Associate head coach Phil Martelli has actually been the acting head coach with Howard sidelined, however Washington represented Michigan at Big 10 media day in Minneapolis on Tuesday. Washington stated Howard is encouraged to return following surgery last month to fix an aortic aneurysm and repair his aortic valve.”I feel so grateful and blessed that this surgical treatment was carried out at University of Michigan Health,”Howard stated in a statement after the procedure.” My other half, Jenine, and our family appreciate the first-rate care that has been offered to us. Dr. [Kim] Eagle, Dr. [Himanshu] Patel, Dr. [Stanley] Chetcuti, and all of the staff at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center are so gifted and performed like champions throughout this procedure. I am going to work extremely hard in my rehabilitation to be stronger than ever by the time our upcoming season is upon us.”Editor’s Picks 2 Related The school said then that Howard, 50, could go back to the program in 4 to six weeks

, but Washington stated the team is not putting any pressure on him to return.”He’s an extremely determined person to get back,”Washington stated Tuesday.”There is no schedule.

We desire him back when he’s ready. He’s going to listen to his team of medical professionals. He’s going to go through the procedure of resolving his rehabilitation and getting healthy. I know the competitive spirit that he is. We’re simply going to hold down the fort.” Michigan enters the 2023-24 season without the skill the team took pleasure in a year back. Hunter Dickinson, an all-Big 10 second-teamer in 2015, transferred to Kansas. Jett Howard, the son of the head coach, and Kobe Bufkin both turned pro.Howard, the former Fab 5 member who is entering his 5th year as the head coach at his university, has reached the second weekend of the NCAA tournament in three of the last four seasons.Michigan opens the 2023-24 routine season in your home versus UNC Asheville on Nov. 7.