Michigan AD Warde Manuel is reportedly working on a long-term extension

Michigan is reportedly working on finalizing a long-term contract extension with AD Warde Manuel. The UM alum, who played for the legendary Bo Schembechler, has been the AD in Ann Arbor since 2016.

According to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, both sides are in the process of finalizing a five-year extension. Manuel currently serves as chairman of the College Football Playoff Committee and has led the football program’s historic resurgence.

Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel are finalizing a five-year contract extension, according to industry sources. Manuel, who currently chairs the CFP Selection Committee, has been at his alma mater since 2016.

– Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 5, 2024

The greatest success under Manuel’s leadership was, above all, dealing with the Jim Harbaugh era and the former head coach’s almost annual appearances with the NFL. Although Manuel did not hire Harbaugh, he restructured the head coach’s contract after the 2020 season, giving Harbaugh a chance to revitalize the program.

That gamble paid off for the Wolverines in a historic three-year stretch, with a perfect season and the 2023 national title. It is Michigan’s first national title since 1997.

Under Manuel’s leadership, men’s basketball was a mixed bag. He brought in former UM legend Juwan Howard to replace John Beilein, but Howard’s tenure was disappointing after a hot start before moving on to Dusty May this year.