By hearing that Michigan Wolverines former boss announced his return has impressed me a lot…
ANN ARBOR, Michigan: Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletic director, wanted to talk to offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore around a week or ten days prior to head football coach Jim Harbaugh calling. Manuel didn’t know at that moment if Harbaugh was going to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Atlanta Falcons, or some other team in the NFL. The school and Harbaugh were still in negotiations, as they had been for months, over a hefty contract extension.
However, Manuel was aware of his preferred choice if Harbaugh decided to walk on following three consecutive victories against Ohio State, three consecutive Big Ten Championships, and the program’s first national title in 26 years. He then provided Moore the lay of the land over the phone.
“You’re going to be the first person I sit down with,” I told him before Jim made the news, Manuel clarified. That’s what I swear to you. Thus, please exercise patience. Get ready. I’m interested in your viewpoint regarding the approach you plan to take.”
On January 24, the phone call that so many Michigan supporters had been waiting for finally arrived, and Harbaugh informed Manuel that he was leaving to take a position as head coach of the Chargers. After that call, Manuel, Santa Ono, the president of the university, and the Board of Regents began a clockwise race to decide who would be the head coach of the Wolverines after Jim Harbaugh and to lock him down.
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