INDIANAPOLIS — The video went viral on social media earlier than Michigan coach Joan Howard celebrated the 2023 NCAA Championship title with the gamers, and lengthy earlier than his former Fab 5 teammates Chris Webber and Ray Jackson embraced as he made his manner into the locker room.
Howard was passing the handshake line—the identical type of line his actions had interrupted almost 4 weeks earlier—when he stopped and hugged pupil bodyguard Kennedy Chandler of Tennessee.
Howard hugged and spoke to a deeply emotional Chandler after the 11-seed Wolverines teased the 3-seed volunteers 76-68 to maneuver to the Candy 16 for the fifth 12 months in a row.
“He stated to maintain my head up,” Chandler stated. “It is exhausting for me, and he knew I needed to win. I do know him. I’ve performed along with his son since, like fourth grade. So I’ve recognized him for a very long time. He is an important coach. He advised me.”
It is solely becoming that a lot consideration was drawn to this second, contemplating what Howard suffered after he hit Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabenhoft within the head after a transferring alternate within the post-game handshake line on February 20. This time, Howard wasn’t simply displaying off properly. Sportsmanship of the opponent, he additionally took on the function of father with Chandler as a result of the Tennessee guard performed AAU basketball with Howard’s youngest son, Jett.
“Kennedy is an elite participant and the most effective keepers within the nation,” Howard stated. “I had the chance to get to know Kenny when my youngest son, Jett and Kennedy performed at Al Ain College, successful the LeBron James Championship in Ohio. So we had a relationship on the time.
“Simply watching his development, I’ve at all times admired him. We recruited him and sadly we weren’t so fortunate. However to see the output, the hassle, the expansion and the power to supply like this on the bottom and the way he led his workforce in a particular manner – I gave him phrases of encouragement. He exhibits his feelings, he cares. As coaches You recognize it.”
Emotional at occasions is what Howard has been as much as since that incident in late February. The Wolverines performed their final 5 video games of the common season with out their coach, blew a double-digit result in Indiana within the Massive Ten, and got here 15 factors behind to defeat the seventh seed over Colorado State within the opening spherical of the NCAA Championships on Thursday. Earlier than defeating the Volunteers on Saturday. Michigan additionally gained two consecutive video games for the primary time since mid-February.
“There was little doubt that this workforce was particular,” stated goalkeeper Eli Brooks, who scored 23 factors. “We’ve a superb group of men with the identical drive, the identical ardour. And that is a credit score to Joan, the teaching workers, for locating these guys you like to be with. There’s by no means been a second the place anybody has given up and away and [everybody] Purchased so as, we’re on Candy 16. So good to see. “
Howard, who led the Wolverines to the Candy 16 for the second time in his three seasons as coach — the 2019-20 marketing campaign ended as a result of pandemic — celebrated with a first-round win with former Fab 5 teammate Jalen Rose. Webber and Jackson had been there for assist within the second spherical.
“It was a beautiful second to be right here and be with the fellows I used to be within the trenches with, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson, after which see my older brother, Mark Hughes, the man who helped me recruit to return to the College of Michigan,” Howard stated. Mark advised me again once I was in highschool that my years in Michigan could be years that might make me a person; And that if I maintain staying right here and rising, I’ll have a number of success and develop into a champion.
“I’ll always remember at the present time, and I recognize all of the assist. They have been behind the scenes in my nook since day one.”
