Michigan is reportedly working toward finalizing a long-term contract extension with AD Warde Manuel. The UM alum who played for the legendary Bo Schembechler has been the AD in Ann Arbor since 2016.

According to Dan Wetzel with Yahoo Sports, the two sides are in the process of finalizing a 5-year extension. Manuel currently serves as the chair of the College Football Playoff committee and has presided over a historic resurgence for the football program.

The biggest success under Manuel’s watch has largely been navigating the Jim Harbaugh era and the former head coach’s near-annual dances with the NFL. Though Manuel did not hire Harbaugh, he re-structured the contract of the head coach after the 2020 season and gave Harbaugh a chance to revitalize the program.

That gamble paid off in a historic 3-year stretch for the Wolverines, complete with a perfect season and 2023 national title. It is Michigan’s first national title since 1997.

Men’s basketball has been more of a mixed bag under Manuel’s watch. He brought in former UM legend Juwan Howard to succeed John Beilein, but Howard’s tenure underwhelmed after a hot start before moving on to Dusty May this year.