Michigan coach Juwan Howard has heart surgery friend in Nebraska’s Hoiberg

MINNEAPOLIS—The college basketball coaching fraternity runs deep, a collegiality among competitors that’s stronger than in most other sports. Here’s yet another example: Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg recently connected with his Michigan counterpart, Juwan Howard, to offer advice and encouragement while Howard recovers from Sept. 15 heart surgery to remove an aortic aneurysm and repair his aortic valve. “We had the exact same procedure,” said Hoiberg, whose 10-year NBA playing career ended suddenly in 2005 when his defect was discovered. “I just told him, ‘I’m here for you if you have any questions.’ I know that recovery’s a bear. It’s really tough to come back from.” Howard’s conditions were identified following a routine medical check. Michigan announced last month that Howard was expected to fully recover in six to 12 weeks and could return to the court in four to six weeks. Assistant coach Saddi Washington, who represented the Wolverines at Big Ten Media Day in Minnesota, said Tuesday there was no specific timetable for seeing Howard on the sideline. “You know my boss, right? He is a very motivated individual to get back,” Washington said. “Quite honestly, we want him back when he’s ready. He’s going to listen to his team of doctors, and he’s going to go through the process of working through his rehab and getting healthy, but I know the competitive spirit that he has, and he’s going to be running through the door when his time comes. We’re just going to hold down the fort and forge forward and try to prepare these young men for this season.” Michigan opens the season Nov. 7 against UNC Asheville. Associate head coach Phil Martelli will serve as the interim head coach, with Washington and Howard Eisley maintaining their roles and Jay Smith elevated to a third assistant position while Howard is out. “Coach Juwan has done a great job in preparing me personally. It’s one of the reasons I love working for him, working with him, working at the University of Michigan,” Washington said. “He’s always given us as assistants a voice in the program, for opportunities like this when he sent me a text and said, ‘Hey, you know, I would love for you to represent me and the program on Media Day.’ There was no question.” The Wolverines were picked to finish 11th in the 14-team conference in the preseason media poll, after missing the