- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,219,095
- Reaction score
- 59
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel is speaking publicly for the first time since reports surfaced suggesting his future with the university could be in jeopardy.
Appearing Tuesday on WTKA 1050 with Sam Webb during a previously scheduled interview, Manuel neither confirmed nor denied reports that Michigan is discussing a potential buyout. Instead, he acknowledged uncertainty about what lies ahead while emphasizing that he remains focused on his responsibilities.
Asked about the speculation surrounding his job status, Manuel admitted that he doesn’t know how things will ultimately unfold.
“I don’t know what the future is going to be and how long I’ll be in this position,” Manuel told Webb as quoted by the Detroit Free Press. “I do know that I’m here today and I do know that I’m going to be here tomorrow. And I do feel confident in the things I have done here at Michigan. Not for me, not for Warde — but on behalf of the University of Michigan, our student-athletes, our coaches, our staff, our fans, our donors, to drive success with our student-athletes academically and athletically.
“I’ve had several conversations over the last six or seven months about the future and things that have happened and different opportunities and different ways that things could go. There’s no doubt about it. I’m not going to hide from that conversation that occurs. But as it relates to where things are going to go, I’m not 100% certain.”
Those comments come just days after reports claimed Manuel’s departure from Michigan was imminent and that the university was negotiating the terms of a buyout.
Despite the speculation, Manuel made it clear he isn’t paying much attention to what is being said online.
“I think I’ve been fired by social media three times in my 10 years,” Manuel said. “I just move through it because, to me, it’s nonsense.
“Don’t believe everything that’s out there in the world about what people say. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know … what’s going to happen.”
Michigan’s Board of Regents is scheduled to meet this week in Traverse City, but the public agenda does not include any discussion related to Manuel’s employment. A university spokesman also indicated no athletics-related announcements are expected during the public portion of the meeting.
Much of the recent scrutiny surrounding Manuel stems from the Jenner & Block investigation into the culture of Michigan’s athletic department and the university’s handling of issues surrounding former football coach Sherrone Moore.
When discussing criticism over the university’s handling of allegations involving Moore, Manuel defended the investigative process.
“If there’s no evidence, there’s no evidence,” Manuel told Webb. “All we can do is look for the evidence that exists.”
While Manuel acknowledged that discussions about his future have taken place, he said those conversations have not prevented him from continuing to do his job.
“Things are discussed along the way, but it’s not taken away from me doing my job and what I need to do to help us drive success,” he said. “I can’t predict that. … If it happens, it happens.”
For now, Manuel remains Michigan’s athletic director.
Whether that changes in the coming days remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the Wolverines athletic department.
Continue reading...
Appearing Tuesday on WTKA 1050 with Sam Webb during a previously scheduled interview, Manuel neither confirmed nor denied reports that Michigan is discussing a potential buyout. Instead, he acknowledged uncertainty about what lies ahead while emphasizing that he remains focused on his responsibilities.
You must be registered for see images attach
Manuel: “I Don’t Know What the Future Is Going to Be”
Asked about the speculation surrounding his job status, Manuel admitted that he doesn’t know how things will ultimately unfold.
“I don’t know what the future is going to be and how long I’ll be in this position,” Manuel told Webb as quoted by the Detroit Free Press. “I do know that I’m here today and I do know that I’m going to be here tomorrow. And I do feel confident in the things I have done here at Michigan. Not for me, not for Warde — but on behalf of the University of Michigan, our student-athletes, our coaches, our staff, our fans, our donors, to drive success with our student-athletes academically and athletically.
“I’ve had several conversations over the last six or seven months about the future and things that have happened and different opportunities and different ways that things could go. There’s no doubt about it. I’m not going to hide from that conversation that occurs. But as it relates to where things are going to go, I’m not 100% certain.”
Those comments come just days after reports claimed Manuel’s departure from Michigan was imminent and that the university was negotiating the terms of a buyout.
Social Media Rumors Continue to Swirl
Despite the speculation, Manuel made it clear he isn’t paying much attention to what is being said online.
“I think I’ve been fired by social media three times in my 10 years,” Manuel said. “I just move through it because, to me, it’s nonsense.
“Don’t believe everything that’s out there in the world about what people say. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know … what’s going to happen.”
Michigan’s Board of Regents is scheduled to meet this week in Traverse City, but the public agenda does not include any discussion related to Manuel’s employment. A university spokesman also indicated no athletics-related announcements are expected during the public portion of the meeting.
Investigation Still Looms Over Athletic Department
Much of the recent scrutiny surrounding Manuel stems from the Jenner & Block investigation into the culture of Michigan’s athletic department and the university’s handling of issues surrounding former football coach Sherrone Moore.
When discussing criticism over the university’s handling of allegations involving Moore, Manuel defended the investigative process.
“If there’s no evidence, there’s no evidence,” Manuel told Webb. “All we can do is look for the evidence that exists.”
You must be registered for see images attach
“If It Happens, It Happens”
While Manuel acknowledged that discussions about his future have taken place, he said those conversations have not prevented him from continuing to do his job.
“Things are discussed along the way, but it’s not taken away from me doing my job and what I need to do to help us drive success,” he said. “I can’t predict that. … If it happens, it happens.”
For now, Manuel remains Michigan’s athletic director.
Whether that changes in the coming days remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the Wolverines athletic department.
Continue reading...
