Warde Manuel

Warde Manuel
Manuel in 2024
Current position
TitleAthletic director
TeamMichigan
ConferenceBig Ten
Biographical details
Born (1968-05-22) May 22, 1968
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Michigan (BGS, MSW, MBA)
Playing career
1986–1989Michigan
PositionDefensive tackle
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
2005–2012Buffalo
2012–2016Connecticut
2016–presentMichigan

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]

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

Manuel 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

Manuel developed his management skills as associate athletic director at the University of Michigan from 2000 to 2005.[6] 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 was the director of athletics at the University of Connecticut from 2012 to 2016.[4][5] He was hired as the 12th director of athletics at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, in January 2016.[3]

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]

Personal life

Manuel is Catholic.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Warde Manuel". www.umsalary.info. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Warde Manuel - Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics - Staff Directory". University of Michigan Athletics.
  3. ^ a b "Warde J. Manuel | Office of the President". University of Michigan Office of the President. Retrieved October 30, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ^ a b Viera, Mark (February 13, 2012). "Tests for New Athletic Director at UConn". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Warde Manuel Named Director of Athletics". uconnhuskies.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Warde Manuel - Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics - Staff Directory". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved October 30, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ^ a b "University of Michigan Football Rosters". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
  8. ^ "Warde Manuel credits U-M for showing him what to do at UConn", by Carol Cain, April 27, 2014.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Seidel, Jeff. "Michigan's Jim Harbaugh receives 'marching orders' from Pope Francis". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 12, 2025.

Additional sources

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