When Jim Harbaugh was hired as Michigan’s football coach, the move was trumpeted.
“Your time is up,” was the not-so-subtle message to Michigan’s rivals.
When notably successful basketball coach John Beilein abruptly departed and was replaced by Juwan Howard, it was like, “Right back at you,” for UM’s rivals.
So much for perception compared to ultimate reality.
Sentiment now is that Michigan is stuck with Harbaugh after he finally signed a contract extension last week. His base salary, reportedly $4 million, is half of what it was previously, yet still twice what Howard is compensated.
Michigan football was 2-4 this fall in Harbaugh’s sixth season, while Howard will lead his 10-0 squad into a huge Big Ten game vs. Wisconsin on Tuesday.
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The knock on Howard was being a big name invoking memories of The Fab 5 era, and that he would falter because of no head coaching experience.
It’s been the opposite. The Wolverines are sound fundamentally. Howard and his staff have used the transfer portal ideally, especially to bring in point guard Mike Smith.
Freshman big man Hunter Dickinson has been brilliant. He was a 4-star recruit, who has been as effective in his role as any freshman in the nation.
It’s one thing to have size. It’s another to possess skills. Dickinson is not a stretch big, but he has soft hands, can move the ball and is aggressive on the boards and protecting the rim. Obviously, Howard’s knowledge as a big man as a player has helped Dickinson’s swift development.
Isaiah Livers, Franz Wagner, Chaundee Brown, Eli Brooks -- this is a very good team that plays well together.
It is decidedly well coached. You can give veteran assistant Phil Martelli credit for it, but Howard was smart enough to hire him. Ditto for retaining Saddi Washington from Beilein’s staff.
Harbaugh’s track record with assistants, putting it kindly, has been haphazard.
Michigan State has played as poorly as Michigan has played well. Logic would dictate an evening-out process at some point.
Tom Izzo has loaded recruiting classes committed for the future, but so does Howard. His 2021 class is ranked No. 1 by rivals.com compared to 10th for MSU.
At minimum, it’s fair to suggest Michigan basketball has a much better chance of beating its main rival in a big game than the Wolverines’ football team has of downing Ohio State anytime soon.
Juwan Howard might be what had been anticipated for Jim Harbaugh. While far less than ideal, it’s a good consolation prize for the Wolverines.