Warde comments on critics
Warde says he is making decisions (or non decisions) based on what he think is best for the school and not based on the fanbase/critics. Right or wrong, the criticism is clearly reaching his ears and he's not happy about it.
Hard to disagree with Brian's take on Warde given the track record over the last few years but glad he quickly hired May. I thought it would be interesting for the board to hear his side of things.
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EDIT: Wendy5K said it quite well regarding some of the attack here. I quote: "They veer into personal attacks, sound truly hateful, and many are attacks on his weight. It's one thing to say you didn't like how he handled the Mel Pearson situation, and give rational reasons why. But constantly digging at him and his appearance and making him seem like an ineffectual oaf is beneath us."
Please refrain from such ad hominems. This is a warning.
You bring up a great point and something I haven't thought about in a couple months. What does Stapleton think of the Dusty May hire and should we expect some sanctions soon for going against his wishes?
Post Harbaugh exit/Moore hire my thoughts on measuring the AD going forward were:
1. Does he replace the failing basketball coach with a quality hire?
2. Does he get UM making progress on the NIL front?
3. Is he working quietly and tirelessly to have the conference commissioner removed from his position?
Can't know the answer to 3, but have to credit him so far on 1 and 2.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:03 PM ^
I would add: 4. either repairing our relationship with the NCAA or putting them on notice that there is a line that shall not be crossed--and retreat is required.
Very good list, agree with the other items.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
I'd imagine Warde will clear things up with the NCAA, since their hatred was focused against the current LAC coach. Little Tony P is going to find that the PAC4 teams expect some love and he can't only butt-kiss Ohio. Never thought I'd miss Devany, until TP came along to wipe Ohio's butt.
I think Warde did a great job in landing May. He deserved his criticism before that, but this looks like a great move in itself.
To be honest I'm not upset with the job Warde has done. Has he effed up a few times, yup, but I'll take him as AD.
Honestly, I can accept him defending himself from criticism somewhat, I get it. But when asked about bringing May to Michigan over Louisville, he starts his response:
It says I can recruit. It says I can connect with people and talk to them about my vision and what I think they can do here and achieve. And that's what I do. That's what I've done.
Seriously, dude? You think this is about you?
Finally, 20 seconds later, something goes off in his head and he adds what he should have led with.
But it also speaks about the University of Michigan and that block M. It also speaks about Big Ten basketball and the success we've had. I think it's a whole combination. And I agree with Dusty: It's the right fit for Michigan. It's the right fit for Michigan.
Honestly, I can accept him defending himself from criticism somewhat, I get it. But when asked about bringing May to Michigan over Louisville, he starts his response:
It says I can recruit. It says I can connect with people and talk to them about my vision and what I think they can do here and achieve. And that's what I do. That's what I've done.
Wow, he actually said that? I can't even...
Yeah i mean that's my problem with him. Yes, May was a great hire, excellent job Mr. Manuel. BUT, they had to call in Beilein to close it. If he continues working like that, bringing people together to get the job done, absolutely. He hasn't done that before though so it would be a change for the better.
Same with Harbaugh's renewal, Santa Ono had to step in to stop Manuel from messing it all up. So even though this is great, I need to see continued humility and teamwork -- otherwise it looks like those around him are doing his job for him instead of letting Michigan fail. And for that, he wouldn't need to stay in his role.
That said, I hope he proves me wrong. Keep it going, people absolutely can learn to get better at their jobs.
I can respect a man that does what he believes to be best despite what the majority thinks. I can also think he's wrong and want him to be replaced.
Good that he has rabbit ears or we wouldn’t have moved so fast on the basketball coach.
Funny how everybody hates passivity in a program, yet they root for, or attended our school. Make up your mind.
It's as if some of you are oblivious to the fact that the culture here is, and has been, passive for decades.
See the Moeller firing, Lloyd not saying shit while Urban Meyer advocated for his team, not a peep being made all those years OSU cheated and we lost to them, the Ohio fanboy refs (JT was short), no one even remotely suggesting we get the title Louisville vacated because of whores and drugs, not putting the Fab Five's banners back up, the fact we couldn't get a holding penalty called in our favor for like a decade, etc, etc.
Where has this energy been from all you tough guys? It's been Jimminy for a looooooong time.
Now, you're all suddenly so bothered by it, you want a Michigan man fired right after we win our first natty in forever. And half of you mfs aren't even Michigan men yourself! Stans running the asylum.
It's all goofy asf. Yet typical, and rather predictable.
Btw...Loved Manuel's swag at the May introductory presser. It's as if he was saying "stfu you whiny fucks, I know what I'm doing. Go back to your desks, and leave sports to sports people, not your corny, probably prejudiced, never played or coached a damn thing, ass. Zip it nerd."
Gold! 💪🏾
First question from the media should have been do you regret hiring an inexperienced Juwan Howard especially after what coach Beilein had established?
March 27th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
What a stoopid question that would be. Warde should have absolutely no regrets about hiring Howard whatsoever. He was one of the best candidates available at the time, and a Michigan legend to boot. All hires are nothing more than an educated guess hoping that it works out. Not all of them do - unfortunately, Juwan was one of those that did not work out. That doesn't mean you regret ever taking that chance. It means you go out, find the next best educated guess, and take another chance.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:18 PM ^
Agreed on Juwan hiring. We were in a bad spot and didn't have the cache of mid-major choices like May, Medved, Byington, etc. Juwan hopefully takes a year off to recover his health and then get back to NBA as an assistant (and maybe a HC someday).
Good lord. If only Warde had defended his own football program and coach against the NCAA and B1G assholes, as hard as he is defending himself against random fans criticizing him on twitter.
What a loser - trying to take a victory lap for a hire for which John Beilein essentially did the heavy lifting and handed to him on a silver platter.
I'm not going to read through the comments because I've already read probably 500 comments from people on why they hate Warde. My problem with most of them is the tenor. They veer into personal attacks, sound truly hateful, and many are attacks on his weight. It's one thing to say you didn't like how he handled the Mel Pearson situation, and give rational reasons why. But constantly digging at him and his appearance and making him seem like an ineffectual oaf is beneath us. At least I thought it was, but it's such a regular occurrence now that maybe I've been wrong about this fanbase.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:07 AM ^
100%
March 27th, 2024 at 10:53 AM ^
Warde critic here, but I agree that appearance critiques are just a sign of intellectual weakness or just plain being an asshole. Not a fan.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:35 AM ^
Or because some have a bias they would never publicly admit they have. Sadly, with the tone of many of the comments on this board, that is the most likely reason.
This. And it really REALLY pisses me off at this point.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:16 PM ^
I've had my frustrations with Warde over the years (not firing Juwan after the slap, Mel, slow NIL, etc.) but figured we could do a LOT worse (Joe Roberson, Goss, Brandon) - personally, I think he aced the latest events this year (hiring Sherrone instead of "shopping around" which could have destroyed the team culture, firing Juwan (I didn't expect this until next year), sweeping in to get Dusty). Harbaugh was going to leave once he won a title. Jim delivered and then got to "interview" and approve the hiring of his boss for LAC (plus 80 MM over 5 years).
He is clearly respected by BoR and now NCAA (CFB Prez). Barring a scandal of his making, I see him retiring from here. Hopefully, Dusty's hiring prompts a better NIL and smoother admissions.
And, yes, the personal attacks on weight, etc. are middle schoolish
This place is becoming so insufferable.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:07 AM ^
If he's actually making decisions, then why are the university president and individual regents so visible in everything Warde is tasked to do?
Honestly, it's shocking to me that more people aren't asking questions as to why the academic wing of the university seems to have so much power and influence in athletic administration right now. There is zero reason for Santa Ono to have any role in this stuff if you have a functional institution.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:16 AM ^
But if he's so incompetent, why isn't the President saying so, why aren't the regents pressuring to get him out, why aren't any of the coaches — current or recently-departed — saying so? Seriously, nobody inside the University of Michigan is voicing criticisms (even subtle, deniable) criticisms of the AD. Only fans who insist that they know what those coaches really think.
Is it possible that we don't actually know the inner workings of the athletic department, nor the specifics of the relationship between Ono and Manuel, and that maybe individual fans shouldn't be so quick to assume they have all the facts and know best about such things?
I have my complaints. Personally, I wish, among other things, that they would remove the crazy-loud music at Michigan Stadium. And to the extent that falls within Warde's purview, I'm happy to lay that complaint at his door. And if enough of those complaints accumulate, then I would suggest he should be replaced.
But it's crazy how many of the complaints here are that we don't like his communication style. What do I care about his communication style? That has nothing to do with the success of the teams or the fan experience. And, as far as I can tell, people seem generally satisfied with both. Isn't that ... isn't that what we want from an athletic director? Success of the teams and overall fan experience? WTF are we screaming at him about?
Would you trade? Have our teams suck, but have an AD that screams at the Big Ten Commissioner in public when he makes decisions we don't like? I fear that is what people want, these days, in politics as everything else. Who cares what policies or programs you actually endorse, support, and create. Just scream loudly at people and institutions that make decisions you don't like, and you'll remain popular.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:06 PM ^
why aren't any of the coaches — current or recently-departed — saying so?
Crissakes.
Have you ever worked a job? Like, a real job?
Have you ever been in a job interview?
Do you have even the slightest idea how the world works?
You don't bitch about the boss in public, let alone the media, and other bosses are less likely to hire you if you're known for bitching about your prior boss(es).
Anyone who wants to stay employed or even thinks they might want a job in the future, doesn't bitch about bosses anywhere it might reach their ears. That's not a sports thing. That's a basic fact of life thing.
A retired coach like Beilein should have no problem doing so. Yet, Beilein drove 45 minutes to tell May to take the job. Why would he do that if the boss is an asshole? Why wouldn't he just tell May to take the UL job? While people on the board were parked on their couches shitposting about how 'lazy' he is, Manuel was flying down to Florida to get his guy.
And before you question me about my working life, I've had jobs in corporate America and academia since my first paper route at age 13, and I'm 57 now.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:19 AM ^
I have done hundreds of performance appraisals and would love to read what Warde said he did last year and what were his personal contributions to his achievements.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:03 PM ^
I've done more than my share of Job Performance Reviews (JPRs) over the years too. One red flag I always coached my team about was using the "I" vs. "we" or "the team" when it came to accomplishments. I was OK with and preferred to use "I" when referring to things that could have been done better.
Warde's rant was filled with a lot of "I" - a sign of a guy who is finally being challenged by a boss (Santa) after the bumbling Schlissel.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:25 AM ^
This is who Ono is. He took on a very visible role in athletics at Cincinnati as well. UBC is obviously an entirely different situation regarding athletics, but he clearly sees involvement with athletics as a significant part of the president's role within the broader university.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:44 AM ^
The president is involved with all aspects of the university, especially the ones which impacts donors, which is everything.
And at a school with the public following that a Michigan has, you bet there better be a regent making a public appearance at the hiring of the new basketball coach. The coach who’s $3.75M contract was public before he even had his introductory press conference.
This is not rocket science. It’s basic management 101. Is there that much disdain and/or lack of understanding by the average fan of how universities and their athletic departments work???
March 27th, 2024 at 12:59 PM ^
No, actually not. At a major university, the president trusts their athletic director to make important decisions and be the public face of athletics as a whole.
What we've seen is the university president (and certain regents) taking an active role in employment negotiations and hirings, department operations, and management. He's making announcements and pronouncements about stuff that Warde should/ought to be doing. He's giving the impression that the president is, in fact, an athletics administrator. Which Santa Ono is not.
That is not what usually happens an institution like Michigan, where there is a distinct financial and operational firewall between the academic and athletic sides of the university. Might be different elsewhere, may have been different where Ono was before, but it's a bad look (and bad management) here.
In other words, should the university president care about athletics, and should they be visible supporters of its programs and activities? Sure. But they should not be doing the athletic director's job, nor give even the hint of appearance that they are.
Ono was not doing the athletic directors job. Every president, at every college/university, has at least a sign off responsibility on the hiring of high profile positions in the athletic department (any school department), which "Head basketball coach of a D1 P5 program" most certainly is. This would be true for the head of the Medical school, which operates in the billions to put athletics in a little perspective, as well as the business school, etc. It's because these are positions which easily end up in the news and the president is ultimately responsible. They are not involved in the day-to-day search dynamics, but it is run by the presidents desk before the contract is officially signed.
Reading the article, it is clear Warde was running the final candidate selection by Ono (which is standard practice, see above) and Ono asked if he should call before or after things were final. Warde said, let me see how it goes, but most likely after. Santa called May 10 minutes after the contract was signed because it had gone well.
I know many posters on here want to have their narrative of "Warde bad!" validated but the constant posts where people talk about the AD with no real knowledge of how things actually work is tiresome.
I'm the son of a former university president and spent my childhood around AD's, professors, and administrators. I know I have a unique experience and perspective, so I'm not putting others down, but I also learned along time ago, there is probably someone in the room smarter than yourself, so only speak when you know what your talking about.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:16 PM ^
Bingo, well said. So many people here spout stuff on things they don't know. It's tiresome seeing them rage whenever the word Warde Manuel shows up on this site.
Huh?
March 27th, 2024 at 10:37 AM ^
Average fans don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. Yes, it’s annoying we’re not more outspoken in the face of accusations as some other schools are, but maybe that’s under the advice of lawyers and executives.
It does seem unreasonable to expect the University of Michigan to fire their AD soon after winning the national championship in football - the ultimate achievement for our program. Short of an obvious scandal, that would not happen.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:40 AM ^
I just listened to Wardes comments and I was taken aback by the amateurish responses. And I've backed him, but am disappointed in his communication. Maybe he just isn't eloquent enough or too emotional.....am beginning to see why Bacon and Brian aren't enthused.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:48 AM ^
I agree Warde isn’t a silver tongued public speaker, but he also doesn’t seek the microphone constantly like Brandon did.
We all know how people felt about him.
I thought Warde came across as someone more focused on doing his job behind the scenes and that is okay.
March 27th, 2024 at 10:52 AM ^
Far as I can tell he has only done one thing (hire the new bball coach) that has stood out. Everything else he has either botched, or shown indecision and lack of action.
To make matters worse, he has not shown any kind of innovation or leading the athletic department into a new era with creative and progressive ideas. Like it or not but these are the characteristics of the modern "CEO" or large scale leader. It is no longer good enough to just be a manager and get things done.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:52 AM ^
Nothing innovative? How about the NIL collectives focused on bringing back the football team’s senior leaders and key portal transfers to make a run at the National Championship. The model OSU is now trying to use?
That was effective, so obviously Warde had nothing to do with that.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:23 AM ^
Just wondering - looking back on the last 50 years - which would take us back to 1974 - which Michigan AD's were "good"?
One might argue - the list of "good ADs" is short. Canham did a number of innovative things. Then - Bo was noted for firing Frieder. After that - it might have been Jim Hackett.
Martin did hire John Beilein - but, IMO - Martin also didn't manage Carr's retirement very effectively.
Brandon was a disaster. Hackett turned things around - and, that brings us to Warde.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:35 AM ^
In hindsight under Canham and Bo we have that other issue (Dr. Anderson) but I will put that aside.
Hackett was interim with a short tenure. He did one thing. And it was a great thing.
As I wrote somewhere else in defense of Bill Martin, he was hired to fix the financial situation. The department was losing money under Goss. He created a surplus before the Big Ten was printing money. His coaching hires include Amaker, Beilein, RichRod...mixed bag. But all defensible. The transition from Carr to RR was a debacle and very high profile. On balance I still think Martin was good.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:54 AM ^
I agree on Martin. Remember we also had the Ed Martin scandal still swirling over the hoops program plus having to deal with a new security world post 9/11. He definitely left the program (financially) far better off than he found it. I thought the Amaker hire was a great move - and still feel he was the right guy at the right time. He just couldn't get us over the hump into the NCAA. I was furious when Les was left hanging while Bill couldn't figure out his new boat on Ross' yacht. And thought RR was a great 2nd choice. Lesson learned from RR is if someone wants to leave their alma mater that bad, something is not OK. And, well Les???, at least we'd have a lot of attractive blondes around the program. Les cost Jeff Long his cushy job at Kansas.
Of course, JB will always be the shining star for Bill.
Bill Martin's most significant impact (besides the Beilein hire) was in facilities. In practically every sport ours were outdated when he came in. He got a ton done there in his decade at the helm.
March 27th, 2024 at 11:45 AM ^
The feisty tone of his interview clearly shows he IS aware of everything said about him here - which is quite pleasing and amusing.
Warde basically reported to himself for the first 6 years. He may have been hired by Schlissel, but Mark never gave a hoot about sports except replacing Brandon with Hackett in his 1st year. Going five years without any formal performance review confirmed what we thought about Mark's aloofness toward our sports programs.
Santa is the most engaged Prez we've had when it comes to being at our games and showing support for our teams. In short, Warde finally has a real boss who cares about sports!
As for Mel/Juwan and the incidents in 2022, Warde was still his own boss as Mark got forced out in early 2022 and Mary Sue was only a caretaker who wasn't going to do anything of consequence. Santa finally came in Fall 2022, well after the smoke had blown over. Warde did what any average guy making 1.1 MM/yr would do when faced with controversies - don't rock the boat and just pretend it didn't happen.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:20 PM ^
He needs to be escorted to the door.
March 27th, 2024 at 12:26 PM ^
I'm surprised he went into as much detail as he did in his comments. It comes across as defensive, and I don't think it helps much. He's clearly aware of the criticism, and it understandably bothers him.
I think it would have served him far better to acknowledge the criticism, educate/reframe for the audience what an AD's job is, and then make his high-level case for how he has tried to do that. If he were to make a credible claim for a few key successes and then highlight where he thinks he can improve (and almost anyone can point to communications), that would help.
the criticism is clearly reaching his ears and he's not happy about it.
I am confident it’s exactly the opposite: he doesn’t care what you or I or anyone else outside of the university thinks. If you want some excellent insight into Warde I highly recommend Greg Harden’s book.
To be a class act, he needs to ignore it all. Public comments aren't necessary.