If AD Warde Manuel Leaves For Michigan...

[JavaMan]

what effect, if any, will that have on Geno and his team?

The University of Michigan remains on the prowl for a new athletic director following the departure of interim AD Jim “Hacksaw” Hackett in December. The search, and its subsequent rumors, have been consistent topics of conversation around UConn since they often feature a familiar name: current UConn AD Warde Manuel.

It’s an obvious connection to make. Manuel is a Michigan alum and served in the athletic department after his playing career wrapped up, as both assistant and associate AD under Bill Martin. Of course, lineage is only part of the equation and to unravel the validity of the Manuel/Michigan rumors, it comes down to two obvious questions: would Manuel be willing to leave UConn for Michigan and what would make Manuel the most appealing option for the Wolverines?

Here’s the unpleasant but obvious answer to the first question: of course he would.

The Michigan job offers more prestige, more money and access to an athletic donor base that is among the most impressive in college sports...

[more]

 

[HuskyNan]

None, IMO. Whoever UConn hires as AD will need to be respectful of the many womens' teams, several of which are ranked and two that are among their sport's elite (basketball, field hockey).

 

[cabbie191]

It’s an obvious connection to make. Manuel is a Michigan alum and served in the athletic department after his playing career wrapped up, as both assistant and associate AD under Bill Martin. Of course, lineage is only part of the equation and to unravel the validity of the Manuel/Michigan rumors, it comes down to two obvious questions: would Manuel be willing to leave UConn for Michigan and what would make Manuel the most appealing option for the Wolverines?

Here’s the unpleasant but obvious answer to the first question: of course he would.

The Michigan job offers more prestige, more money and access to an athletic donor base that is among the most impressive in college sports...

[more]

I live about 15 miles from Michigan Stadium. Lineage is incredibly important here. Whether that is enough for UM to call him in for an interview is an open question, but it certainly helps boost his chances.

 

[UcMiami]

Agree with Nan on this. The bigger question is what effect it has on Uconn, and there I think it would have a serious effect. Manuel is very well respected in the athletic community, and when he calls, whether it be in a coaching search or seeking funds from a donor, the call is taken. I am sure Uconn could find a good replacement, but whether they would, and whether the replacement would be as good is not a given. The biggest issue hanging over Uconn athletics is conference, and in that regard I am sure Manuel is seen as a plus by the P5 decision makers.

 

[Monte]

what effect, if any, will that have on Geno and his team?

The University of Michigan remains on the prowl for a new athletic director following the departure of interim AD Jim “Hacksaw” Hackett in December. The search, and its subsequent rumors, have been consistent topics of conversation around UConn since they often feature a familiar name: current UConn AD Warde Manuel.

It’s an obvious connection to make. Manuel is a Michigan alum and served in the athletic department after his playing career wrapped up, as both assistant and associate AD under Bill Martin. Of course, lineage is only part of the equation and to unravel the validity of the Manuel/Michigan rumors, it comes down to two obvious questions: would Manuel be willing to leave UConn for Michigan and what would make Manuel the most appealing option for the Wolverines?

Here’s the unpleasant but obvious answer to the first question: of course he would.

The Michigan job offers more prestige, more money and access to an athletic donor base that is among the most impressive in college sports...

[more]

Agree with Nan on this. The bigger question is what effect it has on Uconn, and there I think it would have a serious effect. Manuel is very well respected in the athletic community, and when he calls, whether it be in a coaching search or seeking funds from a donor, the call is taken. I am sure Uconn could find a good replacement, but whether they would, and whether the replacement would be as good is not a given. The biggest issue hanging over Uconn athletics is conference, and in that regard I am sure Manuel is seen as a plus by the P5 decision makers.

What has he done as far as conference?............I am also quite positive that Ward does not direct Geno and tell him what to do. Perhaps a new and more aggressive person will take more control of conference alignment!

 

[UcMiami]

What has he done as far as conference?..I am also quite positive that Ward does not direct Geno and tell him what to do. Perhaps a new and more aggressive person will take more control of conference alignment!

There is only so much an AD can do to 'take control' of conference alignment beyond producing good winning teams and managing facilities upgrades - the university president and trustees are in a much better position to alter the school's perception both academically and with the flow of money into athletics. But by being an AD whose name is consistently connected as a 'poaching target' for P5 conference schools, it suggests his stature among his peers in the P5 ranks is very high - and that cannot hurt in the lower level discussions that occur amongst P5 ADs when they are contemplating expansion.

 

[HoopsFan21]

What has he done as far as conference?..I am also quite positive that Ward does not direct Geno and tell him what to do. Perhaps a new and more aggressive person will take more control of conference alignment!

Take more control of conference alignment? Please elaborate. I assume you're aware that the P5 does not want to expand, since that's more mouths to feed, and ultimately we are a mid-major pawn to be used by them to spite other conferences in the athletic department version of Risk. If any of the P5 saw any strategic (read $$$) value in UConn, we would already be in a P5 conference.

 

[Monte]

There is only so much an AD can do to 'take control' of conference alignment beyond producing good winning teams and managing facilities upgrades - the university president and trustees are in a much better position to alter the school's perception both academically and with the flow of money into athletics. But by being an AD whose name is consistently connected as a 'poaching target' for P5 conference schools, it suggests his stature among his peers in the P5 ranks is very high - and that cannot hurt in the lower level discussions that occur amongst P5 ADs when they are contemplating expansion.

So, Uconn never had "good winning teams" until Ward got there? If the rumor is true about him leaving, it must have been brought up in these 'lower level discussions."