Michigan AD Warde Manuel's future is in serious doubt: reports

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel’s future is “in doubt,” according to multiple reports, as the findings from a $12 million investigation into his department are set to be presented.

The Free Press had previously learned from multiple people that higher-ups at Michigan have been briefed on the findings from the investigation run by the law firm of Jenner & Block. More recent reports indicate Manuel’s future is in jeopardy, with the decision potentially related to the findings from the investigation.

The investigation began after Sherrone Moore, U-M football coach for two seasons, was fired Dec. 10 for a romantic relationship with assistant Paige Shiver, as well as for lying about the relationship when asked about it. A major focus of Jenner & Block’s investigation was Manuel, a U-M alumnus hired as AD in 2016, as well as the culture within the department after numerous unrelated scandals during his tenure.

A U-M Board of Regents meeting is set for Thursday, July 16, in Traverse City, but no agenda has been announced.

There are “no plans as of now to release any Jenner & Block materials this week,” a university spokesperson told the Free Press on Sunday.

Some reports, however, indicate Manuel’s status will be discussed at the meeting.

Manuel signed a five-year extension as athletic director in December 2024 (taking his tenure through June 2030) with a base salary of $1.9 million, according to his contract obtained by the Free Press through a Freedom of Information Act.

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Although Jenner & Block’s investigation began with a focus on whether anyone in the department knew Moore and Shiver had a relationship – a violation of the university’s code of conduct as it pertains to “Supervisor-Employee Relationships” – it was expanded when then-interim U-M President Dominico Grasso sent out a video message promising he would leave “no stone unturned” and that any further action will be taken based on “credible evidence and findings through a rigorous investigation.”

“We are continuing the investigation of Coach Moore’s actions to uncover any additional germane and material information and to assess whether there may be related misconduct by others,” Grasso said in December. “We will not stop there. We have expanded the Jenner & Block assignment to include an independent evaluation of culture, conduct and procedures throughout our athletics department.”

A clause in Manuel’s contract states if the AD “is terminated by the University prior to the end of his term without cause [he] will receive a severance pay in monthly installments for the period equal to (a) the remainder of the entire scheduled term of [his] appointment or (b) thirty-six (36) months, whichever is shorter.”

Termination for cause, however, would allow the school to not pay Manuel the remainder of his owed salary.

Alternately, the two sides could agree to a buyout at a reduced figure.

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Why is Warde Manuel on the hot seat

Manuel’s tenure has seen almost every Michigan team win at the highest levels over the past decade, highlighted by five trips to the Frozen Four for the men’s hockey team (under two coaches, both hired by Manuel), a 2023 College Football Playoff championship under then-coach Jim Harbaugh (who was hired by Manuel’s predecessor) and an NCAA Tournament championship in men’s basketball under then-coach Dusty May.

But many of those high points have been sullied, in the eyes of many, by the scandals that preceded them, such as allegations of a toxic culture in the men’s hockey program under former coach Mel Pearson (hired by Manuel), multiple suspensions from the Big Ten and the NCAA for Harbaugh and Moore related to recruiting violations and the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal and the firing of men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard (also hired by Manuel) following an on-court fight with a Wisconsin assistant, an off-court fight with the program’s director of strength and conditioning and the program’s worst season in modern history.

The past 12 months have been a roller coaster for Michigan athletics.

In December, U-M hired esteemed former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham in the same job in Ann Arbor, days before a loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl. The men’s basketball team then won the NCAA Tournament under then-coach Dusty May (hired by Manuel just two years earlier to replace Howard), with May reportedly agreeing to a long-term extension. But last month, May jumped to the NBA, accepting an offer from the Dallas Mavericks. After appointing May assistant (and former Oklahoma State coach) Mike Boynton Jr. as interim coach, Manuel signed Boynton to a two-year deal as full-time coach.

Meanwhile, Grasso – who was scheduled to leave over the summer after Kent Syverud was hired from Syracuse as U-M president – has had his own “interim” tag removed this summer after Syverud was diagnosed with brain cancer in April.

Now, it appears U-M could be looking for a new athletic director after a 10-year run under Manuel.

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan AD Warde Manuel’s future is in serious doubt: reports