Warde Manuel, the athletic director at the University of Michigan, has agreed to step down from his position and is slated to receive a $7 million buyout. Manuel will continue in his role through the end of the calendar year, remaining in Ann Arbor as the university navigates the fallout from recent scandals.
His departure comes after an independent investigation, conducted by the Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block, into the practices and culture of the university's athletics department. The investigation was prompted by a scandal involving former football head coach Sherrone Moore.
Moore, who was the married father of three, was fired due to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a staffer, Paige Shiver, who served as his executive assistant. Moore was subsequently arrested near Shiver's apartment and pleaded guilty to trespassing and malicious use of a telecommunications device, receiving probation.
The independent investigation, which reportedly cost $12 million, interviewed nearly 300 witnesses and reviewed more than 20,000 records. A summary of the investigation found that while misconduct was not widespread throughout the department, weaknesses in accountability, organizational structure, oversight, and reporting created conditions where misconduct was not always addressed promptly or consistently.
According to a summary of the investigation, Manuel demonstrated leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to student-athletes. However, the review also identified failures to act quickly and effectively on allegations of wrongdoing by athletic department employees.
Manuel, 58, has led Michigan's athletic department since 2016. During his tenure, the department managed an annual budget of approximately $250 million, oversaw 29 teams, more than 950 athletes, and about 400 staff members. His time as athletic director included numerous national championships for the Wolverines, including in football and men's basketball. However, his tenure was also marked by several controversies.
Previous scandals within the athletic department include the March 2025 charges against former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss for hacking and allegedly stealing student-athlete images, and the 2018 arrest of former director of performance science Fergus Connolly for DUI and assaulting a police officer. Additionally, Glenn 'Shemy' Schembechler, son of legendary coach Bo Schembechler, resigned in 2023 shortly after being hired due to concerning social media activity. The department also faced NCAA sanctions over a sign-stealing scheme orchestrated by former football staffer Connor Stalions and allegations of abuse against former men's basketball coach Juwan Howard.