Warde Manuel Steps Down as Michigan AD After Investigation

Leadership Accountability and Investigation Findings

The decision for Warde Manuel to depart comes in the wake of an extensive, $12 million internal culture review commissioned by the university. While the school has opted against releasing the full report, a summary of the findings released on Monday identified three core areas requiring structural change: leadership accountability, organizational culture, and reporting procedures.

Despite these findings, the university’s summary—as noted by ESPN—stated that the issues within the department were not considered widespread.

University President Domenico Grasso, who announced the move, indicated that Manuel will remain in his post through the end of the year to assist with the transition. I have the deepest respect for Warde and his contributions to Michigan and have asked him to stay on until the end of the calendar year, Grasso said in a statement reported by ClickOnDetroit. Grasso has also tasked Manuel with serving as a special advisor to help implement the recommended reforms.

Scandal Fallout and Legal Challenges

Manuel’s tenure, which began in 2016, has been marked by major athletic success and significant controversy. The recent impetus for the culture review was the termination of head football coach Sherrone Moore in December 2025. Moore was fired following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate staff member, an event that triggered a wider investigation into the department’s conduct.

The legal landscape surrounding the department remains complex. Meanwhile, former staffer Paige Shiver, who was at the center of the allegations against Moore, has filed suit against the university, alleging that she endured years of manipulation, harassment and exploitation.

Further complicating the university’s position are ongoing legal actions involving other former employees. A lawsuit filed by former assistant Chris Partridge alleges that both Manuel and former president Santa Ono were aware of evidence regarding the Connor Stalions sign-stealing operation as early as January 2023 but failed to report it to the NCAA or the university’s board of regents. The lawsuit claims that officials were instructed not to take notes on the investigation to avoid potential disclosure.

The Path Forward for Michigan Athletics

The university has signaled a desire to move past these organizational hurdles. In its summary, the culture review noted that the sheer prominence of the football program created unique oversight challenges, stating that existing oversight mechanisms were not sufficiently effective and recommended strengthening leadership oversight, clarifying responsibilities, enhancing reporting relationships and improving compliance processes.

Manuel had publicly acknowledged the instability of his position prior to the official announcement. In an interview with The Michigan Insider last week, he remarked: It’s not taking away from me doing my job and what I need to do to drive success. How those conversations come together and when things are going to be announced, I can’t predict that.

With his departure set for the end of the 2026 calendar year, the university is now tasked with finding a successor capable of navigating the complex regulatory and cultural demands of a major athletic department. For now, the administration has stated it does not plan to release any further documents or public statements regarding the internal investigations.