A source has informed CoachingSearch.com that Michigan has gauged the interest of UConn director of athletics Warde Manuel and Boston College athletic director Brad Bates about their interest in the same position at Michigan.

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Current Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has been under heavy scrutiny for an extended period of time for decisions that have alienated much of the Wolverines fan base.

Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Brandon was the chariman of the board, CEO and manager of Domino’s Pizza. He has been blamed for creating too much of a corporate environment at Michigan athletic events and the fan attendance has lagged.

With the way the Michigan football program (2-3) is performing this season, there is reason to suspect a possible head coaching change, too. If that is the case, Brandon may not be the appropriate person to make any decision regarding the future of Brady Hoke or a possible successor.

Manuel is a graduate of Michigan and played football under Bo Schembechler. Before accepting the UConn athletic director position, Manuel served six years as the athletic director at Buffalo.

Bates was also a part of the Wolverines football program under Schembechler. Bates holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Michigan, and a doctorate degree from Vanderbilt.

Before accepting the athletic director position at Boston College, he spent ten years as the athletic director at Miami (OH) University.

In 2012, Michigan announced a three-year contract extension that will pay Brandon approximately $1.05 million in base salary by 2017-2018.

In 2012, Manuel signed a 5-year contract with a base salary of $450,000 per year at UConn.

Boston College, a private institution, does not disclose financial figures.

A phone call to the Michigan athletic department went unreturned earlier today.

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