Warde Manuel will step down as the University of Michigan's athletic director at the end of the calendar year, the university announced Monday.
The decision follows an independent investigation into the department's practices and culture, initiated after former football head coach Sherrone Moore was dismissed in December due to an "inappropriate relationship" with a staffer.
The investigation, conducted by the law firm Jenner & Block, did not find widespread misconduct but identified weaknesses in accountability, oversight, and reporting that created conditions for issues to be "not always addressed consistently, promptly, or in accordance with University expectations." The review reportedly cost $12 million.
Manuel, 58, has led Michigan's athletic department since 2016. During his 10-year tenure, he oversaw a department with an annual budget of approximately $250 million, 29 teams, over 950 athletes, and about 400 staff members. His time was marked by numerous national championships, including in football and basketball, but also by several scandals.
The investigation's findings noted that while Manuel demonstrated "important leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to student-athletes," there were "failures to quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees."
The scandal that precipitated the investigation involved Sherrone Moore, who was fired in December after details emerged of an affair with Paige Shiver, his executive assistant at the time. Moore was subsequently arrested and charged with home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering after allegedly confronting Shiver. He pleaded no contest in April to trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device and received 18 months of probation.
This incident was not the first scandal to affect the athletic department in recent years. In March 2025, former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was charged with hacking. In 2018, former director of performance science Fergus Connolly was arrested for DUI and resisting arrest. In 2023, Glenn 'Shemy' Schembechler resigned shortly after being hired due to concerning social media activity. The university also faced NCAA sanctions over a sign-stealing scheme orchestrated by former football staffer Connor Stalions.
Paige Shiver has since filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging that the school is withholding records related to the investigation and has violated the Freedom of Information Act. Her attorneys stated the suit aims to ensure "the truth and facts come out."
Manuel's contract as athletic director was set to pay him approximately $2.4 million annually through 2030, though financial details of his departure were not immediately clear.