KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan football program and head coach Lance Taylor have announced the hiring of Lee Menefee to the position of General Manager/Associate Athletics Director for Football Administration.
 
Menefee joins the Broncos after spending the last three years at Rice University, where he served as the Director of Recruiting Operations/High School Relations and Director of Football Operations. He was also the Football Operations Liaison for the College Football Playoffs in 2024.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Lee Menefee to Western Michigan as our General Manager and Assistant AD for Football Administration," said Taylor. "Lee brings a deep understanding and commitment of what it takes to run a successful program. He's incredibly detail-oriented, an outstanding problem solver, and someone who knows how to support both coaches and players at a high level. He's going to make an immediate impact on Bronco Football."
 
"I am honored to join Western Michigan Football under the leadership of Coach Taylor," said Menefee. "He and Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae have a clear vision for this program, and I look forward to helping bring it to life. I'm eager to support our student-athletes, enhance our football operations, and contribute to a culture of excellence on and off the field. My family and I are proud to call Kalamazoo home and grateful to be part of the Bronco family."
 
Menefee also has coaching experience, serving as the defensive line coach from 2021-22 at The University of the South: Sewanee. He was also the linebacker coach at Birmingham Southern for two seasons.
 
He was a four-year letterman at The University of the South: Sewanee. Menefee was a two-time First Team Southern Athletic Association selection at linebacker in 2017 and 2018. He also elected team captain for the Tigers in 2018. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from The University of the South: Sewanee in 2019.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT GENERAL MANAGER/ASSOCIATE AD FOR FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION LEE MENEFEE
 
Mike Bloomgren
Cleveland Browns - Offensive Line Coach (former Rice Head Football Coach)

"Lee brought an exceptional level of detail and precision to everything he touched in our Football Operations Department. He largely served as our Chief of Staff. His ability to solve complex problems while maintaining his composure under pressure was invaluable to our program. Lee has a unique talent for seeing the big picture while never losing sight of the smallest details that make the difference between good and great. Western Michigan is gaining a true professional who will elevate their operations and assist Coach Taylor from day one."
 
Jon Williams
Naval Academy - Tight Ends Coach
 
"Aside from winning, perhaps the greatest satisfaction we receive professionally is by watching colleagues grow and ascend through the ranks of college football.  Lee Menefee is a rising star in an industry that relies on trust, accountability, intelligence, and dependability which are all traits that Lee embodies.  I am excited for Lee to team up with Coach Taylor, whom I believe is another rising star within the profession.  Away from the game Lee is a fantastic husband to his beautiful wife, Alex, and his adorable daughter, Holland.  Western Michigan got better with this hire!"
 
Cole Peterson
Philadelphia Eagles – Assistant to the Head Coach
 
"Lee will do a fantastic job at WMU. He continues to shine at every stop within his football career. His Leadership, Energy & Cutting Edge thought process will be a great asset for the WMU Football Program & Coach Taylor."