Source: Manuel interviewed by Washington
UB athletics director Warde Manuel interviewed for the AD position at the University of Washington recently, according to a source close to the situation, a job that was officially filled by acting Washington AD Scott Woodward on Wednesday.
It is not clear whether Manuel was a finalist for the job, but the source said he flew to Seattle twice to meet with Washington officials. When contacted today, Manuel declined comment and said, "I'm happy at the University at Buffalo and look forward to continued success at UB."
Manuel has been widely praised for raising the profile of UB athletics during his tenure as athletics director. Among his achievements: Boosting the Academic Progress Rate of UB student-athletes, improving fund-raising and athletic facilities, and helping the football team to a share of the Mid-American Conference East Division title. In January, Manuel was named to Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s “”Forty Under 40’’ list, designated for the best and brightest executives in the sports business industry under the age of 40.
In December 2005, Manuel hired Heisman Trophy finalist Turner Gill, making him the fifth African-American coach in Division I-A at the time. Last season under Gill, the Bulls had their best year since moving up to Division I-A and joining the MAC in 1999, winning five league games and gaining a share of the East Division championship for the first time in school history.
---Rodney McKissic
