Michigan AD Warde Manuel Denies 'Ridiculous' Sentiment He Clashed with Jim Harbaugh

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is pushing back on the notion that he had a rift with former head football coach Jim Harbaugh.

Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Manuel told Sam Webb of WTKA that it's a "ridiculous" sentiment that he clashed with Harbaugh and didn't want him to return to coach the Wolverines. Manuel added that Michigan made an effort to retain Harbaugh before he ultimately decided to return to the NFL as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

CBS Sports' John Talty released an excerpt of the book he co-authored with Armen Keteyian, The Price: What It Takes to Win in College Football's Era of Chaos, and it revealed details about Harbaugh's relationship with Manuel. It was stated that Harbaugh told a friend that he had a desire to remain at Michigan but felt that "Manuel—no matter his public pronouncements—was not the advocate he needed in his corner."

Harbaugh ended his tenure in Ann Arbor by leading the Wolverines to a national championship last season. However, his run at Michigan wasn't without controversy.

An NCAA investigation into recruiting violations and coaching activities by noncoaching staff members fostered an air of uncertainty surrounding the football program. Talty indicated that Harbaugh felt like he didn't receive enough support from Manuel in front of the NCAA Board of Regents.

When Harbaugh accepted the position with the Chargers and chose to depart the Wolverines, Manuel told Talty that he wished him well.

"I don't want to use the word surprised," he said. "This was the third year Jim had spoken to NFL teams. I can see where people would be interested. As I told Jim, 'I'm sad for us, happy for you if that's what you want to do.'"

Only Harbaugh and Manuel know the true nature of their relationship, but it appears that any buzz about tension may have been overblown.