University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel voiced concerns about then-football coach Sherrone Moore's relationship with former staffer Paige Shiver, instructing Moore that Shiver could not accompany him on trips. These revelations emerged from an investigation by Jenner & Block into the culture of the university's athletic department.
Manuel's concerns about Moore's close association with Shiver were noted days before the 2024 college football season. A written message from Manuel on Aug. 29, 2024, stated, "I told him I didn’t remember if we had already discussed, but that she couldn’t accompany him on trips." The investigation also uncovered that Moore initiated contact with Shiver via Instagram a month after she began as an intern in November 2021, asking about her preferred drink.
The report indicates that Moore and Shiver began a physical relationship during a recruiting trip to Colorado in January 2022. Shiver subsequently had an abortion in the summer of that year. Text messages cited in the findings suggest Shiver informed Moore she was hospitalized for postpartum depression, and that then-head coach Jim Harbaugh had assisted in connecting her with medical personnel.
Allegations of an inappropriate relationship gained traction after Moore was promoted to head coach and Shiver was appointed as his executive assistant. The full report has not been publicly released, but the details that have surfaced raise questions about the athletic department's environment during Manuel's tenure.
Manuel, however, has stated there are no immediate plans for him to leave his position as athletic director. He told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger on Monday, "The president and I have had several great conversations over the past couple of days. There are no plans for me not to continue to be the athletic director for the near future."