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New Michigan AD addresses Jim Harbaugh-Gene Smith Twitter spat

(AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
(AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

When Warde Manuel officially began his tenure as Michigan athletic director a few weeks ago, he probably didn’t anticipate a Twitter beef being one of the first things he would have to address. But, alas, here we are.

Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh took to Twitter Tuesday night to call out Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith for his comments about Michigan’s spring break practices in Florida. Smith apologized Wednesday for stirring things up and Manuel said Thursday that the two ADs spoke.

"We had a brief conversation, a great conversation and we're going to move on," Manuel said Thursday per MLive.com. "I just think he felt it was misconstrued and it wasn't intended to be that way. He has great respect for Michigan and we have great respect for Ohio State. He wanted to let me know that (his comments) in no way, shape or form the way it was intended (to be perceived as a slight).

"I had read the full comments and realized that I don't think the intent was there at all. I appreciated the call. I'm not a Twitter-er, as you all know. So I appreciated it and we had a great conversation about many other things as well. It's all good."

Manuel also said he spoke with Harbaugh and hinted he may have told him to reel it in on social media a bit.

“It wasn’t something that caused me great concern. I don’t think it’s something that needs to go beyond what it has been thus far,” Manuel said. “And I don’t think it’ll continue. Not because I placed an edict, I just think it was a one and done on both sides. It’s over.”

Moving on then…

Other football topics included Manuel’s interest in scheduling Notre Dame in the future and holding night games at Michigan Stadium.

On Notre Dame, via Mlive.com: "When I played here and for many, many years it was a great rivalry. If there's opportunities in the future to bring the rivalry on the football field back, obviously I'd be open to having that conversation and discussion.

"I think it's not only great for Michigan and Notre Dame football. I think it's great for college football for that rivalry to continue at some point in the future. So we'll see where that goes."

The two programs last faced off in 2014 when the Irish won 31-0 in South Bend.

On night games, via The Detroit News:

“No night game this year,” new Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel confirmed to The Detroit News on Thursday.

Why?

“I like the day,” Manuel said, smiling. “I like daylight.”

Former interim athletic director Jim Hackett said earlier this year he was working on having Michigan host a night game this fall, but about a month later in February seemed to lessen the chances of that occurring. Manuel said it’s not happening this fall, but is not ruling it out for the future.

“No (I’m not ruling it out), but I like the daylight,” Manuel said, who played for legendary coach Bo Schembechler who always pushed for early kickoffs. “I’m a daylight-preference football guy. It’s ingrained in me.”

Though there will be no night games this season, the Wolverines' April 1 spring game will start at 6 p.m. at Michigan Stadium. Michigan has hosted three games under the lights at Michigan Stadium: in 2011 and 2013 against Notre Dame and against Penn State in 2014.

The purpose for Manuel’s meeting with the media was to announce that Michigan Stadium will host an international soccer match with Real Madrid and Chelsea this summer.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!