Warde Joseph Manuel[1] (born May 22, 1968[2]) is an American college athletics administrator and former American football player. He has served as the 12th director of athletics at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, since January 2016.[3]
 Manuel in 2024 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Athletic director |
| Team | Michigan |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | May 22, 1968 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan (BGS, MSW, MBA) |
| Playing career | |
| 1986–1989 | Michigan |
| Position(s) | Defensive tackle |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2005–2012 | Buffalo |
| 2012–2016 | Connecticut |
| 2016–present | Michigan |
He was the director of athletics at the University of Connecticut from 2012 to 2016 and at the State University of New York at Buffalo from 2005 to 2012.[4][5] He served as associate athletic director at the University of Michigan from 2000 to 2005.[6]
Early life and education
editManuel played high school football at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans.[7] He was a first team high school All-American. He was recruited and enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he played defensive tackle for the Wolverines from 1986 to 1989, for coach Bo Schembechler, before suffering a career-ending neck injury.[7]
Manuel received a Bachelor of General Studies with a focus in psychology, a Master of Social Work, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1990, 1993, and 2005, respectively.[6]
Administrative career
editManuel developed his management skills as assistant athletic director and then associate AD at the University of Michigan. He credits Michigan coaches and staff for his success, including Bo Schembechler, Stephen M. Ross, and Greg Harden, now Director of Athletic Counseling at Michigan.[8]
Manuel was responsible for the hiring of Turner Gill as the head coach of Buffalo's football team. Under Gill the team achieved its first winning season and first invitation to a postseason bowl game since the program joined NCAA Division I athletics in 1999. Manuel helped change Buffalo's image and marketing strategy. Immediately after he took office, Manuel replaced the old "Bull Head" logo with a sleeker, more modern bull. Manuel also increased the athletics budget from $11 million to $25 million within three years of his hiring.
Manuel has served on the College Football Playoff selection committee since 2022–23, and became the committee chair for the 2024–25 edition, the first to feature a 12-team playoff.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Warde Manuel". www.umsalary.info. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "Warde Manuel - Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics - Staff Directory". University of Michigan Athletics.
- ^ "Warde J. Manuel | Office of the President". University of Michigan Office of the President. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ Viera, Mark (February 13, 2012). "Tests for New Athletic Director at UConn". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- ^ "Warde Manuel Named Director of Athletics". uconnhuskies.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ a b "Warde Manuel - Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics - Staff Directory". University of Michigan Athletics. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
- ^ a b "University of Michigan Football Rosters". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
- ^ "Warde Manuel credits U-M for showing him what to do at UConn", by Carol Cain, April 27, 2014.
- ^ Dodd, Dennis (November 4, 2024). "CFP Selection Committee's new chair: Why Michigan AD Warde Manuel is adding another headache to his plate". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 13, 2024.