University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel will resign from his post at the end of 2026 after agreeing to a contract buyout, concluding a decade-long tenure marked by multiple national championships alongside persistent administrative controversies.
Interim University President Domenico Grasso confirmed Monday that Manuel will transition into a special advisory role through December to assist in implementing institutional reforms recommended by an independent review led by law firm Jenner & Block. The university announced it will immediately initiate a national search to locate a permanent successor to lead the athletic department.
The announcement coincides with the release of key findings from a $12 million internal inquiry examining overall department operations and the events surrounding former head football coach Sherrone Moore, who was terminated in December. Investigators concluded that while departmental misconduct was not systemic, “weaknesses in accountability, organizational structure, oversight, and reporting created conditions in which misconduct was not always addressed consistently, promptly, or in accordance with University expectations”. Addressing the findings, Grasso stated that “the broader cultural review has identified serious concerns that require immediate action,” citing “failures in accountability, structural deficiencies, weaknesses in our reporting and support systems and concerns about retaliation. This is unacceptable”.
In addition, according to the report summary, “the culture review found that Warde Manuel demonstrated important leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to student-athletes,” but “at the same time, it identified failures to quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees”. Reflecting on the overall outcome, Grasso noted that “the culture assessment is sobering,” adding that “as a great university, we simply must do better”.
Manuel, a former Michigan student-athlete hired to direct the program in 2016, previously received a contract extension through June 2030. Under his management, Michigan captured several national titles, including football in 2023 and men’s basketball earlier this year. However, these competitive achievements were increasingly overshadowed by high-profile staff turnover and external inquiries, including a major NCAA investigation into an illicit off-campus sign-stealing scheme. Following the release of the findings, Manuel confirmed he will assist the administration throughout the transition period. “I am happy President Grasso asked me to stay on to work with him to implement the recommendations for continuous improvement,” Manuel stated in a department release, adding, “I promise everyone I will have more to say about my decision at the appropriate time”.
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