Phil Martelli 'touched immediately' in first conversation with Juwan Howard

A look back at the history of Juwan Howard, the former Michigan basketball star, on the national stage. Wochit, Wochit

When Phil Martelli thought about the next step of his career following a 24-season tenure as the head coach at Saint Joseph's, there were several options. Martelli considered going into TV. He considered coaching abroad.

Then he talked to Juwan Howard.

Martelli hadn't previously known Howard. At the time, Howard had yet to even interview for Michigan's head coaching job. The phone call, which took place the Monday night the week of Howard's interview — and eventual hiring — was a preliminary conversation. Yet Martelli, now an assistant coach at Michigan under Howard,…