ANN ARBOR, Michigan – After 15 years as Michigan basketball’s strength and conditioning coach, Jon Sanderson has officially left the university. The departure follows a settlement agreement with the university, including a non-disclosure clause, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Sanderson’s exit came after a confrontation with head coach Juwan Howard in early December, leading to his removal from the men’s basketball program. While Sanderson had been working with other varsity teams on campus, he eventually parted ways with the university following additional complaints about the program’s culture under Howard.
The incident that sparked the confrontation between Sanderson and Howard involved a disagreement between an athletic trainer and Jace Howard, Juwan’s son and a senior guard on the team. This disagreement led to a heated exchange, with Sanderson intervening to calm the situation but ultimately facing Howard’s aggression.
Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation, tensions escalated, with Howard allegedly attempting to engage in physical altercation with Sanderson. Following an internal review by the university, Howard was cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident, with no disciplinary action taken.
Since Sanderson’s departure, Mike Favre has taken over as Michigan’s strength and conditioning director. Sanderson, known for his work with NBA Draft picks and long-standing tenure within the program, is likely to attract interest from other college basketball programs in the upcoming offseason.
Meanwhile, Howard, who faced disciplinary measures earlier in the season after an altercation with the Wisconsin coaching staff, continues to lead the Michigan basketball program. Despite the controversies surrounding the team, including Howard’s health issues and contract extension, the focus remains on the team’s performance on the court.