Assuming Harbaugh is renewed, should Warde Manuel be fired?

Submitted by Cam on January 3rd, 2021 at 5:52 PM

It’s hard to see how Manuel has really improved the athletic department. Given that this blog was largely responsible for the firing of Dave Brandon, I’m curious to know whether people think Manuel should be retained if Harbaugh’s contract is renewed.

Fishbulb

January 3rd, 2021 at 5:54 PM ^

The blog stuff was simply the final nail in Brandon’s coffin. Manuel doesn’t deserve to be fired right now. The other sports are doing well and there are going to be football changes. Ask again this time next year. 

Cam

January 3rd, 2021 at 6:23 PM ^

I remember when people declared Hoke a “bold, homerun hire” based on his recruiting. Good times. 
 

In any event, Howard’s hire was the complete opposite of “bold.” A good choice? Sure seems like it, though the jury is still out. A bold choice? Lol.

Cam

January 3rd, 2021 at 6:36 PM ^

So the entire blog narrative that Hoke “poops gold” didn’t exist? Funny how we suddenly have so many people who knew Hoke was a bad hire. Where were all you brilliant prognosticators when we needed you?!?

Joby

January 3rd, 2021 at 5:58 PM ^

You’d want to fire the guy that hired Juwan Howard and Mel Pearson? The coaches that created #1 recruiting classes in the country almost as soon as they stepped on campus?

ILL_Legel

January 3rd, 2021 at 5:58 PM ^

No.  Nice job with every sport minus football and he is trying to clean things up while navigating the Michigan maze from hell.  There are a ton of stakeholders to manage.  Seems like it should be easy from the outside but he has bosses too and he wants to keep his job.

Like fishbulb said, let’s see what is happening in a year.  

Eng1980

January 3rd, 2021 at 7:16 PM ^

The post lacks any real or implied definition of successful AD or any evaluation of Warde Manuel with that definition so most of us really can't comment on your position.

Some ADs suck because they blow the budget one year and others suffer the next.  Some ADs are bad because they play politics but don't really support the coaches.  Some ADs are well loved but no one can say why but for charisma.  

Warde Manuel grades OK to well except please make a push to stop the screw job with refs and scheduling for the football team.

Gentleman Squirrels

January 3rd, 2021 at 5:59 PM ^

You can’t fire someone for just doing their job properly. He’s been fine. Made sensible hires and probably has been making the department money. The harbaugh contract taking this long is annoying but besides that he hasn’t done too much else wrong

Genzilla

January 3rd, 2021 at 6:00 PM ^

Looking at the Athletic Department holistically, of course not.

Other schools are cutting programs, Michigan isn't.

Men's and Women's basketball and hockey are all looking great under his direction.

Warde is doing a great job, understand disappointment with football, but he definitely should keep his job.

WolvinLA2

January 3rd, 2021 at 6:15 PM ^

Baseball is also the best it's been in 50+ years, swim and dive are killing it (mens and womens). Our athletic department is doing very well. Harbaugh isn't Ryan Day but that might not be totally on him (and even if it is, I don't see what another AD is going to do that is unequivocally better at this point). I'm on board with Warde.

Cam

January 3rd, 2021 at 6:45 PM ^

You’re right. Juwan’s record of conference championships and deep tourney runs should really be considered here. 

Howard may be a great hire, but calling him a home run at this point is just laughably stupid.