Warde Manuel Steps Down as Michigan Athletic Director

In a monumental leadership shift for one of college athletics’ most iconic programs, University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel will step down from his post at the end of the calendar year.

The announcement was made by U-M President Domenico Grasso following the release of an extensive internal investigation into the athletic department’s culture, oversight, and administrative procedures. Manuel, a former Wolverine defensive tackle who has led the department since 2016, will remain in his role through December 31 to assist with organizational transitions before shifting into a role as special advisor to the president.

Findings from the Internal Investigation

The decision comes in the immediate wake of a comprehensive review conducted by the national law firm Jenner & Block. Commissioned by the university late last year, the independent investigation was initiated following the termination of former head football coach Sherrone Moore over an inappropriate relationship with an executive staff member.

Investigators interviewed nearly 300 individuals—including staff, coaches, and student-athletes—and reviewed more than 20,000 internal documents. While the summary report noted that systemic or widespread misconduct was not present across the athletic department, it pointed to significant structural deficiencies.

Specifically, the report cited:

 Accountability gaps: Weaknesses in institutional oversight and reporting channels that created conditions where red flags went unaddressed.

 Delayed administrative action: A pattern of failing to act quickly or decisively when allegations of employee wrongdoing surfaced.

 Reporting hesitation: Reluctance among student-athletes and staff to come forward with concerns due to fears of retaliation or lack of institutional follow-through.

Although the culture review praised Manuel's personal integrity and steadfast dedication to student-athlete welfare, President Grasso acknowledged that institutional reforms required a fresh leadership vision moving forward.

A Decade Defined by Championship Heights and Public Storms

Manuel’s decade-long tenure atop Michigan Athletics will be remembered as one of the most turbulent yet triumph-filled stretches in school history. A former player under legendary coach Bo Schembechler from 1986 to 1989, Manuel returned to Ann Arbor in 2016 after successful stints directing athletics at Buffalo and Connecticut.

Under his stewardship, Michigan achieved remarkable competitive success across its 29 varsity sports. Highlighted by the football program’s national championship run, national titles in gymnastics and basketball, and dozens of Big Ten conference titles, the athletic department maintained elite financial standing and academic performance metrics.

However, the high-water marks on the field were frequently paired with intense public scrutiny off it:

1. Football Staff Controversies: The department faced relentless national scrutiny surrounding the NCAA sign-stealing investigation involving former staffer Connor Stalions, alongside separate federal inquiries into former offensive staff members.

2. Coaching Turnover: Recent months saw rapid turnover in marquee sports, including the unexpected departure of head men's basketball coach Dusty May to the NBA shortly after taking the reins.

3. The Moore Termination: Questions regarding administrative response times to allegations against Sherrone Moore ultimately brought department oversight back to the forefront of administrative reviews.

What Lies Ahead for Michigan Athletics

To ensure stability during the transition, President Grasso confirmed that Manuel will serve as a special advisor to help implement the governance and reporting reforms recommended by Jenner & Block.

"I have the deepest respect for Warde and his countless contributions to Michigan," President Grasso stated. "I have asked him to stay on until the end of the calendar year to help guide these critical reforms and position our department for sustainable excellence."

The university will immediately launch a national search for Michigan's next athletic director. The new leader will inherit an elite athletic enterprise with world-class facilities and passionate fan support, tasked with restoring administrative stability and modernizing department oversight in the evolving landscape of college athletics.