ANN ARBOR, Mich. — On Thursday, the University of Michigan announced a five-year contract extension for athletic director Warde Manuel. This decision follows the Wolverines’ impressive victory against their long-standing rival, Ohio State, along with a promising beginning to the basketball season.

Manuel, who has served as athletic director since 2016, now has his contract secured through June 30, 2030. He also holds the position of chairman for the College Football Playoff selection committee.

In a statement, university President Santa J. Ono expressed appreciation for Manuel’s contributions, highlighting that under his leadership, the athletics program has established a foundation that allows student-athletes to compete for both Big Ten and national championships while excelling academically and earning their degrees from the University of Michigan.

Although Michigan’s football team faced a challenging season, concluding with a 7-5 record (5-4 Big Ten), the exhilarating 13-10 victory over Ohio State, ranked No. 2 at the time, alleviated some of the pressure on the program. The Buckeyes were 21-point favorites, marking the most significant point spread in this rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

Last season, the Wolverines captured the national championship, closing out their time under coach Jim Harbaugh, who faced scrutiny due to multiple NCAA investigations regarding recruiting and sign-stealing allegations, with Manuel standing firmly in support throughout these challenges.

In the realm of basketball, the women’s team has made an impressive entry into the AP Top 25 at No. 23 this week. The men’s team currently holds a 7-1 record following the dismissal of coach Juwan Howard, whose tenure yielded a school record of 24 losses during the previous season, resulting in the team finishing last in the Big Ten for the first time since 1967.

Notably, Michigan has achieved an impressive tally of 52 Big Ten championships since 2020.

Manuel conveyed his gratitude regarding his position within the university, stating, “I am thankful to work at this great institution and to represent Michigan Athletics. Special thanks go to the student-athletes, coaches, and staff whose dedication has led us to unparalleled success both athletically and academically. I am eager to continue giving back to a university that has provided so much throughout my career.”