Seidel: New U-M AD Manuel must handle Jim Harbaugh

Reporters Mark Snyder, David Jesse and Jeff Seidel share their thoughts from Warde Manuel's introductory news conference as the new Michigan athletic director.

Former football player a popular choice, but his relationship with the enigmatic football coach is key

(Photo: Kimberly P. Mitchell DFP)Back in 1986, Warde Manuel was a freshman defensive lineman at Michigan, and his captain was quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

“What I remember is his leadership when he was the quarterback,” Manuel said Friday morning, as he was introduced as the new athletic director at Michigan. “His encouragement of me as a freshman, on those one or two occasions when Jumbo (Elliott) did pancake me, he would be the one to…