Michigan Athletics has once again been at the forefront of the college sports world this week. Reports came out Sunday evening stating the Michigan Board of Regents scheduled a meeting for Thursday, bringing a lot of topics to discuss, one being the future of athletic director Warde Manuel.
Of course, this had everyone wondering if the Manuel era was officially coming to a close in Ann Arbor, something at least a portion of the fanbase has been calling for quite some time now. Then, on Monday morning, Yahoo Sports college sports writer Ross Dellenger released a quote given to him straight from Manuel, in which the Michigan AD stated he believes he will continue to be in his position in the future after many positive talks with the university president.
So, while Michigan fans are rubbing their necks, feeling like they have whiplash from all the news, it still feels unclear whether or not Manuel's job is actually in jeopardy. That won't be known until the conclusion of the meeting on Thursday, but just in case Manuel does agree to a buyout and part ways with Michigan, here are three candidates who must be prioritized as his replacement.
This list is comprised of outside candidates, as I believe bringing in someone from outside Michigan's program could be best for the Wolverines if they choose to move on from Manuel.
Sean Frazier - Northern Illinois
Sean Frazier is the current Athletic Director and Vice President at Northern Illinois and has been for the last 13 years. Under Frazier, Northern Illinois has seen solid success within the athletic department, including a move to the Mountain West Conference for football and the Horizon League for the majority of the Olympic sports the Huskies offer.
While some may wonder why an AD from a smaller institution is on this list, it is not always about where they come from, but the experience they bring. With 13 years at Northern Illinois, Frazier brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. He was one of five finalists for the Athletic Director of the Year by Sports Business Journal back in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Under Frazier, Northern Illinois has won three MAC titles in 2014, 2018, and 2021, as well as beating Notre Dame back in the 2024 season, a huge upset for the Huskies. Frazier would bring a new face to Michigan that the Wolverines desperately need.
David Benedict - UConn
David Benedict is the Director of Athletics at UConn, a school that has seen major success on the basketball court over the last decade on both the men's and women's sides of the sport. Benedict has been in the position for 10 years now, taking over in March of 2016. In 2025, Benedict was named the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics AD of the Year.
Benedict has overseen so much at UConn, from National Championships to renovations with athletics facilities and athletes having big success in the classroom. What makes Benedict a great fit for Michigan is his experience not just at UConn, but at Auburn, Minnesota, Virginia Commonwealth, Long Beach State, and Arizona State.
The experience is clearly there with Benedict, at both large and small schools, something Michigan fans would appreciate.
Chris Plonsky - Texas
Chris Plonsky is the only candidate on this list who isn't an active AD, acting as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, and that is what makes her an interesting candidate for Michigan. Plonsky is a seasoned administrator and would be primed to step into the role at Michigan as an Athletic Director.
Plonsky has worked in college athletics since 1976 and has been with Texas for the last 38 years. Prying her away from the Longhorns may be a tall task, but she is no stranger to the North, born and raised in Pittsburgh and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and attended Kent State for her B.S. in Journalism
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