Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard was suspended for five games– the rest of the regular season- for his role in the fight after his team's loss to the Wisconsin Badgers. Howard threw a punch at Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after exchanging words with Badgers' head coach Greg Gard. Michigan's associate head coach Phil Martelli, set to take over for the suspended Howard, issued a bold statement as he prepares to coach the team on Wednesday against Rutgers.

“I know what I'm doing. I've done this before,” he said Tuesday.

Those are confident words from Michigan's Phil Martelli as he prepares to take over for the suspended Juwan Howard. However, if anyone can say that they know what they're doing, it's Martelli.

The 67-year-old has spent nearly 40 years in college hoops, having been the head coach of Saint Joseph's from 1995 to 2019. Martelli led the team to seven NCAA tournament appearances, an experience that will certainly help him when he assumes the role of head coach for the Wolverines.

Martelli made sure to emphasize that he will “continue on the path created” by Howard, noting that he doesn't have the “offensive mind” of the suspended Wolverines head coach. And Martelli made sure to say that Michigan will continue to participate in the handshake line.

The Wolverines will be in good hands with Phil Martelli taking over for Juwan Howard.