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Juwan Howard has pre-emptively rebuked any preliminary offers for NBA coaching jobs. The current University of Michigan head coach had been “gaining traction within front offices” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
ESPN Sources: A possible NBA coaching candidate whose name is gaining traction within front offices: Michigan coach Juwan Howard. Howard has an obviously strong resume as a player and later an assistant under Erik Spoelstra. He interviewed for Lakers, Cavs before taking UM job.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 24, 2020
Howard’s official response posted to Twitter, however, appears definitive: “There was a report of my name as a potential candidate for NBA coaching opportunities. While I am flattered, and know it will more likely happen again, I am not exploring, seeking or listening. I am the head coach at the University of Michigan.”
— Juwan Howard (@JuwanHoward) August 24, 2020
Howard previously played for eight NBA teams, including the 2009-10 season with the Trail Blazers. Howard averaged 6.0 points and 4.6 rebouds per game in 73 appearances for the Blazers.