The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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18 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2024 BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan athletics direc- tor Warde Manuel saw no dearth of ground to cover in his annual one- on-one interview with The Wolverine. From a football national championship to new coaches in football and men's basket- ball to Name, Image and Likeness devel- opments, and more, Manuel touched all the bases in delivering some blunt takes on the athletic year just past and the one unfolding now. Here's what he had to say: The Wolverine: Can you talk about the loss of longtime coun- selor and mentor to so many Michigan athletes, Greg Harden, and your own experience with him over the past several decades? Manuel: "It's hard to reflect on Greg in a few minutes. It's heartbreaking, dev- astating, for his family and all of us who loved him and knew him for such a long time. "I've known him for 38 years. He's been an active part of my life for all 38. Even when I went away, I'd be talking to him on a regular basis, getting his thoughts and advice. He'd call me on different things, and we'd talk through it. "It has been really hard. I've still not responded to all of the texts. It's a hard STATE OF THE WOLVERINES A.D. Warde Manuel Speaks Exclusively To The Wolverine On Michigan Athletics Manuel, the 12th athletics director in Michigan's intercollegiate athletics history, oversees a department that sponsors 29 varsity teams with more than 950 student-athletes and 350 staff members. During his seven-year tenure in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines have captured national championships in football (2023) and women's gymnastics (2021). PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF