Michigan coach Juwan Howard reportedly was involved in a confrontation with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson during a recent practice, multiple outlets reported Monday.
According to The Athletic, the incident is undergoing a university review.
It isn’t clear what led to the confrontation, which was at least verbal in nature. Reports indicated Sanderson did not travel with the team for Sunday’s 90-80 victory at Iowa.
The incident comes during a time in which Howard is working his way back to serving as head coach after undergoing a heart procedure in mid-September. Howard recently rejoined the game-day staff as an assistant coach while interim coach Phil Martelli has continued to run the team.
Howard has had altercations in the past, the worst being the postgame confrontation after a game with Wisconsin in February 2022. Howard struck Badgers assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the head and was suspended for the final five games of the regular season.
Howard also got into a heated verbal exchange with Maryland coach Mark Turgeon in the second half of a Big Ten quarterfinal game in March 2021. He was restrained by other coaches and was ejected from the game.
Howard, a former Michigan star as part of the famed “Fab Five,” is in his fifth season as Wolverines’ coach. He entered the season with a 79-48 record.
Sanderson has been with the Michigan basketball program since 2009.
–Field Level Media
