Michigan will need a new athletic director at the end of the year. Warde Manuel is stepping down at the end of December.
And with the way the Michigan football program has faltered so far this season, it feels like the new athletic director might be busy.
Maybe it was a coincidence that it was announced by the University of Michigan that a national search for a new athletic director would begin on Monday after a terrible loss to Indiana. It had to happen at some point, but it does feel like Kyle Whittingham might be on the hot seat.
Whittingham has refused to fire Jason Beck, despite a terrible offense. There are five games left, so there is still time to change the narrative, but a new athletic director might want to hire a new head coach, which wouldn't be a bad thing.
The Wolverines need an athletic director who can navigate the turbulent times of college sports while helping all the programs, not just football, compete for championships.
With all that in mind, here are three Michigan AD candidates who make a ton of sense, including one who stands above the rest.
Candice Story Lee
Incoming Michigan President C. Cybele Raver is coming to Ann Arbor from Vanderbilt, so why not bring a familiar face, Candice Story Lee?
Story Lee has overseen three national championships and 13 conference championships across various sports since taking over as the athletic director for the Commodores. She also hired Clark Lea, who led Vandy to its best football season ever in 2025.
Not only did Story Lee hire Lea, a two-time SEC Coach of the Year, she also hired Shea Ralph, who was the 2025-26 National Coach of the Year for women's basketball. Mark Byington also has had Vandy reach back-to-back NCAA tournaments.
If Michigan does need to hire a new football coach, whether it's this offseason or next, Clark Lea would be a strong candidate. Story Lee could probably help lure him to Ann Arbor, but getting her away from Nashville will be a chore.
Story Lee played women's basketball for the Commodores. Her profile page with the school talks about her strong ties to the community in Nashville, so even though the Wolverines should make a run at her, maybe even Raver has suggested it, there is no guarantee it will work.
It would be a swing for the fences and one that will probably result in an out. It's possible, though. But that feels like a big obstacle to overcome.
Story Lee would be a no-brainer though if she wants the job.
Katie Fraumann
Katie Fraumann is not a current athletic director, but she has strong ties to the university. She played women's basketball at Michigan; her husband played football at Michigan, and their son (Tommy) is currently a player for the Wolverines.
Fraumann was also an associate athletic director at Michigan from 2016-2023. She was known as a star when it comes to fundraising, and she is currently the senior vice president for the Division of Advancement and External Relations for Depaul.
Fraumann feels an exciting choice. She doesn't necessarily have some of the experience as the others on the list, but fundraising is going to be important in this new era and she's a superstar in that department.
David Benedict
UConn hired Benedict as their athletic director after Warde Manuel took the Michigan job, so maybe the Wolverines can swoop in again.
Benedict hasn't messed up all the winning that happens with the basketball programs. He also hired Jim Mora Jr. and was the 2025 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year.
Benedict might be interested in a bigger job and Michigan is that. Just look at the football program.
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