Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, who last week signed a five-year contract extension, will receive an annual salary of $1.9 million.
Manuel, 56, who has been athletic director of his alma mater since January 2016, also will receive an annual match of $350,000 for his retirement plan and can earn a maximum $150,000 from an incentive program, according to his contract obtained Friday by The Detroit News through an open-records request.
He had been making $1.1 million from a contract extension signed in February 2021.
The new contract, signed last Thursday by University of Michigan president Santa Ono and Manuel, is effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“Extremely happy and excited to continue to serve as the AD at the University of Michigan, a place I love,” Manuel told The Detroit News last Thursday.
“Thankful to President Ono and (Board chair) Regent (Kathy) White and the rest of the board for believing in me.
“Thankful for our student-athletes and coaches and staff and look forward to continuing help drive success athletically and academically.”
If Manuel leaves the job before July 1, 2028, he must pay “liquidated damages” in an amount equal to two times his base salary, according to the contract, and if he leaves between July 1, 2028-June 30, 2030, he must pay an amount equal to “one times the current salary”.
This is the second extension of Manuel’s contract. In February 2021, the original contract was extended through June 30, 2026.
He made $1.1 million annually and was eligible for the maximum $150,000 in incentives with the university contributing $350,000 annually to a retirement plan, according to the contract signed Feb. 5, 2021.
Manuel, a defensive lineman in the 1980s and a teammate of former Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh in the 1980s, is in his first year as the chair of the College Football Playoff selection committee.
He has been part of the CFP selection committee since 2022.
During Big Ten media days last July, league commissioner Tony Petitti announced Manuel was the recipient of the 2024 NFF John L. Toner Award.
The award recognizes athletics directors “who have demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics, particularly college football”.
Manuel received the award Tuesday night at the 66th National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas.
“He is highly regarded in the Big Ten Conference and across college athletics for the valuable leadership he has provided throughout his career,” Petitti said in July after announcing Manuel’s award.
Manuel and Michigan football have had to navigate two recent NCAA investigations, including one for an alleged sign-stealing scheme that has not yet reached a resolution.
The football program has been under a three-year probation from the NCAA since both sides negotiated a resolution last April for recruiting violations.
He also has had to make recent football and basketball hires.
Harbaugh left for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers after leading Michigan to a national championship in 2023, his ninth season, and Manuel was widely criticized for not re-signing him. Manuel’s relationship with Harbaugh had often been described as rocky.
Manuel, however, disputed that as he did on the field in Houston after Michigan won the title last January.
“Because people don’t know, and I’m not out there trying to tell you my relationship with people.” Manuel said.
“People may put stuff out there on social media that have no F-ing clue. None.
“I can’t speak for ignorance people spew on social media and I’m not going to and I never have until now, until you asked me the question.”
Manuel elevated former Michigan offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore to head coach, replacing Harbaugh. Manuel said among his bigger challenges during his career here was firing Juwan Howard as basketball coach.
He since has been replaced by Dusty May.
Under Manuel’s guidance, Michigan sports have won seven national titles with 23 individual NCAA titles, 85 regular-season and conference titles.