Jul 20, 2026 - News

Michigan AD Warde Manuel stepping down after review

Joe Guillen

U-M athletic director Warde Manuel speaks in April. Photo: Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

U-M is overhauling its athletics department following an independent review that found weaknesses in accountability, organizational structure, oversight and reporting.

Why it matters: Michigan's athletics department is one of the country's most prominent and influential, making Manuel's departure a pivotal moment in the university's effort to reform it.

Driving the news: U-M president Domenico Grasso said Monday that athletic director Warde Manuel is stepping down and will remain through the end of the calendar year to help implement reforms.

Catch up quick: The university hired Jenner & Block last year for two reviews — one into former football coach Sherrone Moore's conduct and the other into the athletics department's culture.

Zoom in: The broader review identified interference, poor oversight, failures in accountability, weak reporting systems and concerns about retaliation. Grasso called the findings "unacceptable."

What's next: The university will launch a national search for Manuel's successor.

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Michigan AD Warde Manuel stepping down after review

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