Athletic Department Investigation Findings
Warde Manuel, the athletic director for the University of Michigan, is set to step down from his position at the end of the year. This announcement follows an independent review of the athletic department conducted by the law firm Jenner & Block. The investigation, which began last December, aimed to examine the circumstances surrounding the firing of former head coach Sherrone Moore.
The review identified “weaknesses” within the department’s accountability, organizational structure, oversight, and reporting mechanisms. These issues reportedly created an environment where misconduct was not consistently, promptly, or appropriately addressed according to university expectations. While the report acknowledged Manuel’s leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to student-athletes, it also highlighted failures to act quickly and effectively on allegations of wrongdoing by athletic department employees.
President Domenico Grasso confirmed Manuel’s departure in a video message to the university community. Grasso stated that Manuel expressed his desire to step down at the end of the year, a request that was granted. Manuel will transition into a role as a “special advisor to the president” to assist in implementing the reforms recommended by the investigation.
Recent Turmoil and Criticisms
The announcement comes less than two years after Manuel signed a five-year contract extension, which was slated to run through June 30, 2026. His compensation package included a base salary of $1.9 million and deferred compensation, totaling nearly $2.4 million annually. According to his contract, if he voluntarily terminated his employment before July 1, 2028, he would be required to pay “liquidated damages equal to two times his current salary.”
The athletic department has faced a period of considerable turbulence in recent years, including two NCAA investigations into the football program. These investigations resulted in multiple coaching show-cause orders, in-season coaching suspensions, seven years of probation, and significant fines. One investigation concerned an illegal scouting scheme, leading to a 10-year show-cause order for former coach Jim Harbaugh and a $30 million fine for the university, along with four years of probation. Another NCAA investigation, initiated in 2021, focused on illegal recruiting practices and led to a three-game suspension for Harbaugh and three years of probation for the program.
The firing of Sherrone Moore on December 10, 2025, after his affair with his executive assistant became public, further intensified scrutiny on the department. Moore later faced a felony charge stemming from an encounter at his assistant’s apartment, eventually pleading no contest to lesser charges and receiving 18 months of probation in April. Manuel described feeling “betrayed” by Moore’s actions, expressing hurt for the staff, student-athletes, and the university.
Other incidents under Manuel’s tenure include the firing of co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss in 2022 following allegations of hacking into personal accounts of college athletes. Additionally, Glenn “Shemy” Schembechler resigned from a recruiting job in May 2023 after racist posts on his social media account came to light. Former basketball coach Juwan Howard was suspended for five games and fined $40,000 in February 2022 after an altercation with a Wisconsin assistant coach, and was later fired in March 2024. Former hockey coach Mel Pearson was also fired in August 2022, three months after a report detailed misconduct within the hockey program.
Future Changes and Leadership Search
The independent investigation by Jenner & Block, which cost the university nearly $12 million, found that while no current employee had direct, contemporaneous evidence of the relationship between Moore and his assistant, some employees and student-athletes were hesitant to report concerns. The university has also retained the firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in anticipation of litigation from Moore’s former executive assistant.
In response to the findings, President Grasso outlined several upcoming changes. These include evaluating the creation of a C-suite officer for Compliance, reviewing reporting structures, implementing enhanced hiring and offboarding practices, and establishing consistent investigative policies. The university also plans to strengthen its commitment to student-athlete health and well-being by expanding access to medical and mental health resources and implementing mandatory coach training. Furthermore, the university is considering the creation of a U-M Athletics Board to advise leaders on department-related issues. A search for a new athletic director will be conducted following Manuel’s departure at the end of the year.
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Source: eu.detroitnews.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.