Juwan Howard has been punished for smacking an opposing coach during a wild altercation over the weekend … with Michigan reportedly banning the guy from the Wolverines’ sidelines for the rest of the regular season.
Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel just reported the news … one day after Howard kicked off a brawl at the end of the Michigan vs. Wisconsin game by taking a swipe at Badgers assistant Joe Krabbenhoft.
WKOW
The ban would effectively be a 5-game suspension for Howard … as the Wolverines have just five contests left before they play in the postseason Big 10 Tournament.
As we previously reported, Howard told media members following the altercation that he got aggressive because Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard had put his hands on him first.
Here’s Juwan Howard’s side to the story.
Added later that he felt he needed to protect himself, because Greg Gard touched him unnecessarily in the handshake line after he had gotten upset.#Badgers pic.twitter.com/hFWrEtBv1v
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) February 20, 2022
@Evan_Flood
“I think that was very uncalled for, for him to touch me,” Howard said after the game, “as we were verbalizing and communicating with one another. So, that’s what ended up happening.”
Many had speculated Howard would be banned for longer — and, considering the melee ended up being very, very ugly, some thought it could cost the 49-year-old his job.
Michigan, meanwhile, is 14-11 this season.