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Michigan hires Juwan Howard as head coach on 5-year deal

Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Michigan is turning to a familiar face to succeed former head coach John Beilein.

The Wolverines hired Juwan Howard on Wednesday to a five-year contract worth $2 million annually, the school announced.

"We have found someone with high integrity, great character, and a coach who has unbelievable knowledge of the game of basketball," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. "Juwan has proven himself to be a tremendous leader, a wonderful communicator and a developer of talent.

"We couldn't have asked for a better role model for the young men in our program. We are excited to welcome back a member of the family to Ann Arbor."

Howard's wife appeared to beat the school to the confirmation of the hiring Wednesday morning.

The 46-year-old has spent the last six years as an assistant on Erik Spoelstra's staff with the Miami Heat and received interest from multiple NBA clubs for their head coaching vacancies. He played 19 seasons in the NBA.

Howard starred on Michigan's "Fab Five" squad and helped lead the school to a pair of national championship appearances. In the 1993-94 collegiate campaign, he was named an Associated Press third-team All-American after averaging 20.8 points, 8.9 boards, and 1.5 steals per contest.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to lead the University of Michigan's storied basketball program," Howard said. "I have been very fortunate to be part of a great championship organization in the Miami Heat for the last nine years - three as a player and six as a coach. It was always going to take something incredibly special to for me to leave Miami; however, I know in my heart this is the right place and the right time.

"As a 'Michigan Man' I know the place our program has in college basketball and I embrace the chance to build onto that history and lead us to championships both in the Big Ten and national level. We will continue to develop young men on the court, in the classroom and in the community that our fan base will continue to be proud of."

Providence head coach Ed Cooley was reportedly in the mix for Michigan's head coaching position before he agreed to a multi-year extension with the Friars.

Beilein left the Wolverines last week to become the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Michigan finished 30-7 this past season and fell to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16. The school made a pair of national championship appearances during Beilein's 12-year run.

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