Michigan women's basketball has appointed Sean Bair as the program's first general manager and assistant coach. Bair previously served as an assistant coach at Penn State.
Key points
Sean Bair is the first general manager in Michigan women's basketball history
Bair will also serve as an assistant coach
He previously worked as an assistant coach at Penn State
Michigan women's basketball had a successful season last year
Bair expressed excitement about joining the University of Michigan
Mentioned in this story
Sean BairPenn StateKim Barnes Arico
Michigan women's basketball
Michigan women's basketball is coming off perhaps its best season in program history, and as it looks to continue to climb in stature, it's adding reinforcements.
Sean Bair, who comes to Ann Arbor serving as an assistant coach at Penn State the past two seasons, will be both an assistant coach and general manager at Michigan, the first GM in the program's history.
Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico reacts to a play against N.C. State during the first half of NCAA Tournament Second Round at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico reacts to a play against N.C. State during the first half of NCAA Tournament Second Round at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
"I am thrilled to join the University of Michigan," Bair said in a statement. "It is an honor, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Arico and her outstanding staff. Michigan is a special place with championship standards, rich tradition and a clear vision for continued success that I am excited to help advance.
"My family and I cannot wait to experience all that Michigan has to offer and become part of the Ann Arbor community. Go Blue."
Bair was an assistant at Monmouth for three years and also served as a graduate assistant for Arkansas' men's team prior to his time at Penn State.
U-M comes off of a 28-7 campaign in 2025-26 that saw it reach the second Elite Eight in program history before it bowed out to Texas one game short of the national semifinal. There's reason to believe Michigan can have another successful season next year, returning four starters in Olivia Olson (18.9 points per game), Syla Swords (14.6), Mila Holloway (12.3), Te'Yala Delfosse (8.7).
The Wolverines also added Stanford transfer Courtney Ogden, who averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last year in Palo Alto.
Per U-M's release, Bair "helped develop and implement offensive and defensive systems, including player development, practice planning, game preparation and in-game adjustments" for the Nittany Lions and was an integral part of a standout season from, All-Big Ten honoree Gracie Merkle, who led the nation in field goal rate.
Q&A
Who is the first general manager of Michigan women's basketball?
Sean Bair is the first general manager of Michigan women's basketball.
What was Sean Bair's role before joining Michigan women's basketball?
Before joining Michigan, Sean Bair was an assistant coach at Penn State for the past two seasons.
What does Sean Bair aim to achieve at Michigan women's basketball?
Sean Bair aims to help advance Michigan's championship standards and vision for continued success.
How did Michigan women's basketball perform last season?
Michigan women's basketball is coming off perhaps its best season in program history.
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Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles the ball while being guarded by Rori Harmon of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns dribbles the ball while being guarded by Olivia Olson of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns in a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines and Justice Carlton of the Texas Longhorns compete for a loose ball in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Breya Cunningham of the Texas Longhorns holds the ball while being guarded by Kendall Dudley and Te'Yala Delfosse of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Jordan Lee of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines calls out instructions in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns in a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a layup while being guarded by Kyla Oldacre of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines holds the ball while being guarded by Ashton Judd and Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Ashton Judd of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Jordan Lee of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Te'Yala Delfosse of the Michigan Wolverines grabs a rebound in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns in a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Kyla Oldacre of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
1 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles the ball while being guarded by Rori Harmon of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
1 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles the ball while being guarded by Rori Harmon of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
2 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
3 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns dribbles the ball while being guarded by Olivia Olson of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
4 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns in a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
5 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines and Justice Carlton of the Texas Longhorns compete for a loose ball in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
6 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Breya Cunningham of the Texas Longhorns holds the ball while being guarded by Kendall Dudley and Te'Yala Delfosse of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
7 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Jordan Lee of the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
8 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines calls out instructions in the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns in a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
9 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a layup while being guarded by Kyla Oldacre of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
10 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines holds the ball while being guarded by Ashton Judd and Madison Booker of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
11 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Ashton Judd of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
12 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Jordan Lee of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
13 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Te'Yala Delfosse of the Michigan Wolverines grabs a rebound in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns in a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
14 / 14
Michigan women's basketball fights for first Final Four vs Texas
Kendall Dudley of the Michigan Wolverines attempts a shot while being guarded by Kyla Oldacre of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Seemingly every bit as important as his coaching is serving as GM, with the program now having a designated point person to connect the pieces between playing and financial opportunities. Other Big Ten programs like USC, Iowa and Washington all have GMs on staff.
"I have gotten to know Sean over the last several years, and his ability to connect with people has always stood out," coach Kim Barnes Arico said in a statement. "He is a relentless recruiter who really cares about the student-athletes and their development. He can add a tremendous amount to our program in terms of his recruiting ability and player development.
"I think the other important piece in this changing landscape is also being a connector in the world of NIL and working with our variety of partners. He can help us continue to build our brand of Michigan women's basketball in this current world of college athletics by engaging with our alumni, our donors and with our fans."
