The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/678402
priate number for right now. I've not heard any rationale that I would see right now for expansion of that, anything that would make it worth expanding at this time. "People say it would bring in more dollars, but we have to look at the impact also on the program and the students. It would expand oppor- tunities to play, but college football, with this playoff system we currently have, has unbelievable fan support and eyeballs on the television." BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY SOLID Michigan men's basketball remains in good hands, Manuel insisted. He's experienced strong interactions with John Beilein, whom he describes as a "tremendous person" that has had an "unbelievable impact" on Michigan basketball. Despite the recent spate of assis- tant coaching changes and transfers, Manuel expects the program to re- main strong. "They're a very tenacious, hard- working group of young men, led by an unbelievable head coach," Man- uel said. "Right now, the strength of where we are is the fact that Coach Beilein is still at the helm of the pro- gram. "You look at the nucleus of the young men who are coming back, with the additions of who we have coming in, and now you've got work to get all of those pieces put together. But the strength is that you have John Despite some staff changes and transfers since the end of the season, head basketball coach John Beilein has Manuel's full confidence. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN